Kindred Therapy and Black Lives Matter
We are witnessing and participating in major shifts in our culture and country right now. Our actions and inaction are making it clear to our friends, families, and communities where we stand and what we believe in. I want make it abundantly clear where I stand.
Black Lives Matter. Black representation matters. Black voices matter, and Black mental health matters.
I stand in solidarity with the Black community and I will fight with you to dismantle the system of white supremacy that this country was built on. To my BIPOC clients and community members at large, I see you, I hear you, I am listening to you, and I want you to feel supported and welcome in my office. I recognize that the work of dismantling white supremacy in my life begins with doing my own work.
Here are action steps I am committed to taking in my life and my practice:
Intentionally engaging in anti-racist work. White supremacy won’t die until White people see it as a White issue we need to solve rather than a Black issue we need to empathize with. For me, this means “doing the work” by digging into my own heart, mind, and history to dismantle internalized racism. It means acknowledging and owning my privilege and using that privilege to participate in society in ways that restructure political and social systems to create equity for Black people.
Listening. Listening. Listening. I will make space for and prioritize the voices of my Black clients, neighbors, friends, educators, activists, and family members. Your voice MATTERS to me. Your rage is justified. Your trauma is real.
Confronting racist and white-supremacist rhetoric in the therapy room. I commit to naming racism and helping clients dig underneath white-supremacist rhetoric in order to more deeply understand themselves and the experiences of others.
Turning toward discomfort and painful conversations with humility and willingness to admit where I have failed my Black brothers and sisters and with a commitment to do things differently. I commit to having difficult conversations about racism and White privilege with my White friends, family members, and community members.
Educating myself by reading and paying for the work of BIPOC authors, listening to podcasts, attending Continuing Education workshops on anti-racism and acting from a place that centers the knowledge of Black folks.
Donating money, services, and time to causes that support the BLM movement and to helping Black clients and neighbors heal from the effects of oppression and trauma.
The work of unlearning, decentering, and dismantling White supremacist systems is and will be messy. I will show up imperfectly and will make mistakes, but I promise to show up and own my own missteps along the way. I want you to know I’m here right alongside you. The work is never done. There are many incredible BIPOC people leading the way, and I’m going to share what I am reading, learning from, and participating in so that you can
follow those voices and leaders.
I am here if you have questions, want to talk about this, or you need to process. We must work together to move toward justice and healing.
Holding you in my heart and mind,
Katy
