So...We're Still In It...

Let's just re-cap to make sure we are all on the same page...

Thus far in 2020, we have experienced natural disasters (massive fires, floods, tornadoes, tropical storms) all over the world, an impeachment trial and political unrest, a global pandemic that has impacted millions and changed the way we go about our daily lives, abhorrent racial injustices and needless loss of lives, legislation seeking the continued restriction of access to healthcare based upon gender...and least of all...wasn't there supposed to be murder-hornets??

And those were just some of the biggies...As a person living in the world, there is enough anxiety and grief to make you throw your hands up and say "I'm done".

Or perhaps you feel so enraged at the injustice that you rally... you protest...you take over city blocks and march, stand, and chant together, proclaiming "no more".

As clinicians, often we are those individuals, but we also show up and hold space for our clients to feel all of these feelings, and to honor their experiences, no matter what these experiences are. 

And this can be so extremely difficult...I often find myself leaving the office heavyhearted, mentally and physically exhausted, and simply wanting to wrap my arms around the world and just fix it....

In the last Ally, we wanted to start a dialogue about racial injustice, diversity, representation, and inclusion. If we do not understand the injustices that our fellow colleagues, clients, families, friends, and other individuals of color experience on a daily basis, we cannot truly meet them where they are, nor can we learn from them or help them heal the wounds that we cannot understand.

How can we provide the neuroception of safety if a client cannot find themselves, or symbols of their stories, on our shelves?

How can we connect in a meaningful way with those outside our culture if we are unable to humble ourselves and ask hard questions in pursuit of self-evaluation and a commitment to continued growth?

It's imperative that we remember that cultural identity can be fluid, multi-faceted, intersectional, impacted by geography and lived experiences, and is determined solely by the individual sitting before you, not simply by the color of their skin.

We must challenge ourselves to move beyond cultural competence and into cultural consciousness and cultural humility.

When we are able to do this, we can truly change the world, one sandtray at a time!

Featured Miniatures

Katie Accola shared this amazing piece. We want to highlight that June is Pride Month! As we remember the history of Pride (beginning as a protest against police brutality in 1969 with the Stonewall Riots), it feels even more important to acknowledge the significance of Pride during this time of unrest, and acknowledge the needs of our LGBTQ+ clients, who are often under-served and underrepresented.