Diversity Statement

I revere a loving, secure, and safe attachment and acceptance as a human right. I believe in the goodness of all people. I accept change as a constant and embrace each new morning as an opportunity to redefine ourselves and the world in which we are living. 

I strive to embody an open and safe stance that will facilitate dialogue as a way to honor our differences. I view each new client as an opportunity to create a unique relationship that informs both the therapist and the client, forever changing both lives.  

From my core being, I have always wanted to approach others acknowledging, celebrating, and supporting individuals whose sex, gender identity and expression, age, race, color, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, educational status, occupational status, veteran status, marital status, parental status, family status, religion, spirituality, ability, health status, political beliefs, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, immigration status, language, or cultural practices might be different than my own. 

I wish to promote equity for all. I acknowledge that systemic oppression of entire subordinate groups of people by the culturally dominant group results in advantages and disadvantages in power, privilege, opportunities, access, influence, and control.  I am committed to identifying and eliminating prejudice, oppression, discrimination, and barriers to access through an acknowledgment of systemic oppression, an awareness of intersectionality, the promotion of positive self and group identities, a commitment to continued education, and an ongoing conversation with open dialogue. 

I value, embrace, and affirm diversity as well as the interconnected complexity of the layers of identity that are at the core of each individual person’s identity as well as group identities. I prize inclusion by embracing new ideas and perspectives. I foster a culture of belonging by honoring and respecting individual and group talents, skills, and perspectives. I reject shaming and cancel culture because these actions fail to honor collaborative language. 

I respect that the individual is the expert on their life perspective, the issues they face, and the solutions that will address those issues. I honor the multidimensional and ever-changing aspects of our human nature.  I acknowledge the impact our different systems have on our growth, development, and behavior.