Black Lives Matter: Our Thoughts and Resources
In the wake of the murder of George Floyd and subsequent protests, all of us at Great Lakes Therapy Center want to make it clear that we stand with the Black Lives Matter Movement. We support the people protesting across the world and we commit to examining and changing the ways we have benefited from and unintentionally have contributed to systemic racism.
As an all-white DBT team and a new small business within the Chicago community, we are examining our shortcomings as allies. We recognize the professionals within the mental health field are predominately white and that the lack of diverse representation is even greater within the DBT community. We have tried to access research on the efficacy of applying DBT to minority populations. It is disturbingly limited. We have mindlessly contributed to this and are committed to using our privilege to address this problem within Great Lakes Therapy Center and the mental health field at large.
We will never fully understand the trauma experienced directly from racism and white supremacy. We do not believe we have all the answers, rather we are using our platform to share tools and spread awareness. We are providing resources for BIPoC recovering from racial trauma, including racial trauma experienced within mental health. We are highlighting organizations that are currently during the necessary work. Lastly, we are sharing tools for allies and in particular therapists who are committed to the same process as us. This is not an exhaustive list but these are resources that align with our values as GLTC therapists.
We know this process is long overdue and the most effective thing we can do now is be better and do more. We commit to confronting barriers that limit BIPoC from receiving DBT services, donating, speaking out, learning, and creating nonjudgemental spaces for our clients to reflect and process. We are especially committed to diversifying our team and uplifting voices who have different experiences than our own.
-Victoria, Mary Catherine, Ryan, Amanda, and Patrick
We hope that resources below can assist BIPoC to find access to therapists, organizations, and groups that can facilitate healing and support.
The Loveland Foundation is a national organization that addresses barriers affecting access to care by providing financial support to black women and girls seeking mental health services.
Irresistible describes themselves as a community that supports each other in social justice work. They have a podcast, online community, and a book club. They cover a variety of topics in their podcast including healing from anti-black racist trauma, how to heal and compartmentalize while participating in direct social justice actions, and effective ways to show up as a white ally.
Black Lives Matter provides a variety of free downloadable toolkits covering topics of healing justice, #TrayvonTaughtMe resources for BIPoC, and #TrayvonTaughtMe resources for white people. Additionally, the Black Lives Matter Chicago Chapter facilitates a community healing group that “that dismantles systemic and interpersonal cycles of violence in black communities” by “destigmatiz[ing] mental health, hold[ing] policymakers accountable, and develop[ing] radical alternatives to mental health care structures.”
Sister Afya Community Wellness is a local Chicago community mental health and wellness practice with a mission of “sustaining the mental wellness of Black women through building community, sharing information, and connecting Black women to quality mental wellness services.” While they currently state on their website they are unable to take on more clients at this time, the above document is a resource they put together a list of therapists, local organizations, and podcasts that support the mental health and well being of black folks in the Chicago area.
Brave Space Alliance is the “first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ Center located on the South Side of Chicago, and designed to create and provide affirming and culturally competent services for the entire LGBTQ community of Chicago.” They provide support groups, mutual aid groups, and connections to community resources for the LGBTQ+ community on the South Side of Chicago. They also provide trainings and workshops on anti-racism, gender, and sexuality that would benefit similar all-white therapy practices to participate in to improve the effectiveness of their services for clients that are not white.
For Allies and Therapists
Check Your Privilege was created by Myisha T, who focuses specifically on providing space and resources for white folks “to show up safely for BIPoC and move beyond passive ally-ship to action-driven co-conspirators.” Through the website, there are links to her free podcast. There are also links to workshops, books, and forums at a variety of different price points and time commitment levels. This is an effective resource for white allies and white therapists to explore internalized racism without burdening BIPoC friends and colleagues with emotional labor.
How to Support Small Black-Owned Businesses
For Therapists
Free CEU course for white therapists “Hey, White Therapist, Here’s Where We Start”
Call to action from the instagram handle @trustmeimasocialwoker
Contact your licensing body and demand anti-racism ceus to maintain licensure! This will hold others in our field accountable for doing the work if they aren’t initiating it now. Cultural competence is not enough! Newer grads have been learning a cultural humility approach, so we need to get the age spectrum of human services workers on board.
IDFPR doesn’t have an email because of course, they don’t. But call. Social workers, consider contacting ASWB and NASW. Counselors, contact NBCC. LMFT, psychologists, do your thing!
Sample message, adapted from @trustmeimasocialworker
“Hi my name is (insert name) and I am a (insert profession) writing in response to recent events - specifically demonstrations around the country led by activists in response to the historical pattern of violent executions by law enforcement of Black People such as George Floyd, Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery.
These events and the reactions of many non-Black people to these events have highlighted the need for antiracism training in ALL human services fields. We stand united in our ask for the IDFPR board to require at least 3 continuing education dedicated specifically to anti-racism organizing and training in order to maintain licensure. “