What connections are you hungry for in your work?

I’ve been working at the intersections of trauma, oppression and relationships since I began my therapy practice in 2015. For years, most of my work and writing centered on gender and sexuality as I developed a specialty in supporting queer and trans clients and their loved ones, especially around trauma, relationships and sexual violence.

In 2019, I facilitated a small consult group focused on my practice specialties and found a new passion: supervision and consultation with other providers. I had such a great time putting together that group that I planned another for early 2020 with a more expansive focus. Luckily I had already planned to host the group virtually, so when lock down began right as I was recruiting for the group, I found colleagues who were hungry to connect and get more support.

I also found colleagues who were longing for a space to explore race, racism and their conditioning into white supremacy culture within the context of their therapeutic work. The murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, as well as the uprisings that followed, were happening right around the same time. I realized early on that "consult group" was really a misnomer. In order to consult in a meaningful way, the group participants needed a shared understanding of trauma, white supremacy culture and other concepts related to oppression. They also needed a container safe enough to explore these concepts together. That became the focus of the group, and by the end of two 6-month groups, I realized that what I had created was more of a course in the foundations of trauma and oppression than a consult group.

The Trauma, Oppression & the Therapeutic Relationship Foundations Course has emerged from all this learning. My Trauma, Oppression & the Therapeutic Relationship Consult Group will continue, and completion of the Foundations Course will now be required to join.

My intention is to contribute to an emerging culture of mental health and wellness practitioners rooted in trauma-informed, anti-oppressive principles and practices..

What connections are you hungry for in your work? What resources do you need to feel more competent around trauma and oppression?

Leave a comment to let me know. I’d love to hear from you.