Honoring Diversity

Who we are and how we experience the world is shaped by our unique life experiences.  Variables such as ethnicity, race, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and ability interface with our unique personal qualities to create a sense of self in the community and in the world.  I honor all aspects of a client’s experience and identity, and strive to understand each individual in a full and inclusive context.

The atrocities of violence and disenfranchisement, perpetuated by a culture of white supremacy, on communities of color, as well as all marginalized communities, have tangible impacts on mental health.  I continue to educate myself in the ways that the oppressive patterns of our culture live in my own unconscious mind. I understand that uprooting internalized aggression is a lifelong practice, not a destination. As part of this commitment, I speak these words in my first session with clients:

“There is a very deep invitation here for you to let me know if I’m getting something wrong, or missing something about you, and to trust that anything you say here will be met with curiosity and kindness — even if what you say is that you don’t like something that I just said.”

To truly heal our society, we must each do the work of individual healing, not just at the level of words and memes, but at the core level of our frayed and wounded nervous systems. This is what I strive to practice for myself and what I endeavor to invite forward in the clients I serve. The core of what I teach is how to be relentlessly kind to oneself, knowing that this inner template of kindness impacts how we see and interact with the world. I hope that we can take hands in doing this healing work, for the benefit of our own souls and the health of our communities.

LGBTQI+ affirming.

For more information, please contact Rafia Rebeck.