Are you a white therapist who wants to be a part of transforming our society?

 

Join a supportive group of professional therapists who identify as white to do the difficult and liberating work of learning to see, feel & begin to transform white supremacy conditioning in yourself.

 

Join two white-identified, experienced facilitators for a 12-session, live online consultation group designed to help you slow down, feel & access your body’s wisdom toward being a positive contribution to the mental health profession.

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Racism is passed on through families, systems, and even through our genes.  Chances are that your professional mental health training did not focus much on the intersections of personal and social healing.  In other words, racism and other -isms were probably not discussed in depth, and you may have a lot of questions such as:

*How does white supremacy culture in the USA influence my work as a white therapist?  

*How can I build awareness of unconscious biases that I hold?

*Am I unconsciously replicating oppression in my work with clients? 

*How do I bring an awareness of racism more explicitly into my work?

*How can I create an inviting space to talk about the impacts of racism & white supremacy in my sessions both with clients of color and white clients? 

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It is possible for therapists to make a meaningful contribution toward social justice. White therapists have unique work to do. It is a difficult road, but we can walk it together!

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In this consultation group, we will provide opportunities for you to:

*Expand your knowledge about what white supremacy culture is, how it has functioned historically and how it still functions currently

*Increase your awareness of how white supremacy culture lives in your own beliefs, sensations, feelings & behaviors

*Increase your capacity to be with your own pain, uncertainty, guilt/shame, and fear as well as your strengths and inherent value as a human being 

*Receive consultation about your work with clients

*Practice building & maintaining a community of other practitioners who care about social justice 

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Course structure & Logistics:

There is no “quick fix” for the impacts of white supremacy. We need each other for the long-haul.  Let’s start with 6 months. 

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This group is a 12-week live, interactive consultation group that will take place over Zoom.  It includes:

*Two, two-hour meetings per month led by two experienced & engaging mental health professionals

*An intimate group environment with other professional therapists (6 participants maximum)

*Three one-on-one consultation sessions with one of the facilitators, to be scheduled at your convenience during the course

*A “buddy” from the group to check in with regularly as you like

*A curated list of resources to further your learning & reflection

 

This group is for you if: 

*You are a therapist who identifies as white 

*You have 3+ years of experience in private practice, agency, or another clinical setting**

*You are curious about how the system of racism has both given you privileges and robbed you of full access to your body, mind, and heart

*You are willing to let go of the notion that there is a “quick fix” to racism 

*You are open to & ready to regularly engage in at least one somatic practice (e.g., a daily centering practice) 

*You are curious about learning more about how oppression lives in the body

**If you are interested in a group like this but do not have more than 3 years of experience (e.g., you are a student or a practitioner earlier in your career, please email us to be added to our mailing list for future offerings!)

 

Cost:

Sliding Scale: $3,000-$1,350 for the six months, includes all of the above.  See the end of this email for some reflection questions on how to decide where to put yourself on the sliding scale. 

 

If you are offered a spot in the group, you will be able to reserve it by paying a 50% deposit by September 20, 2020.  There are payment plan options available for the remaining balance.

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Schedule:

Groups will take place every other Friday from 1:00-3:00pm over zoom on the following dates:  First & Third Fridays, 1:00-3:00pm

Oct 2, Oct 16, Nov 6, Nov 20, Dec 4, Dec 18, Jan 15, Feb 5, Feb 19, Mar 5, Mar19, Apr 2

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This group is currently full.  If you are interested in future opportunities, please fill out the contact form and ask to be added to the mailing list.   

 

Your facilitators: 

Michelle Montagno is a licensed psychologist and Associate Professor in a social-justice-focused PsyD program. Her research interests are focused on privilege and oppression, as well as LGBTQ+ identity, and racial identity development.  Since 2009, Michelle has also been engaged with the organization The UNtraining, whose mission is to offer tools for white people to investigate white cultural conditioning and for people of color to work on issues of internalized oppression.  Michelle also regularly guest lectures and facilitates presentations on white supremacy, white racial identity development, and white fragility.

 

Caren Ohlson, LMFT: Caren first became aware of racism at age 11 and has been committed to re-humanizing herself and working toward justice ever since. She is a senior teacher in the UNtraining program and has spent the last two decades working as a therapist & counselor in public schools and non-profit organizations with children, teens and adults.  She currently runs a private somatic therapy practice in the Bay Area, offering therapy, bodywork & support groups to people who are seeking to align their personal healing with making a strong contribution to community and society. You can find out more through her website.

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