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MISSION AND VALUES

At Umoja Healing Therapy Services, it is our mission to support individuals and families of diverse backgrounds and identities to live empowered lives by providing compassionate, high-quality, and culturally responsive mental health therapy services.

Bamboo Leaves

As a social justice-centered practice, Umoja Healing Therapy Services upholds the values of collective liberation. Our practice acknowledges that our world is shaped by complex systems of oppression, power and privilege, and historical trauma. We acknowledge the ways in which the following social justice issues impact the well-being of our clients:  

Systems of Oppression   

We acknowledge that oppressive systems—such as racism, sexism, class oppression, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, and other systems—exist and perpetuate inequality. These systems impact individuals’ mental health, access to resources, and overall well-being.

Power and Privilege     

We recognize that power is unevenly distributed in society. Privilege (unearned advantages) and oppression (systemic disadvantages) intersect across identities (race, gender, class, etc.).

Intersectionality           

Clients’ experiences are multifaceted. Intersectionality recognizes that individuals hold multiple identities—such as race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, and more. These intersecting identities shape their perspectives, opportunities, and challenges. For example, a Black transgender woman faces unique challenges that cannot be understood by examining each identity in isolation.

Supremacy and Colonization

We confront historical and ongoing legacies of supremacy (white supremacy, male supremacy/patriarchy, etc.) and colonization. These forces shape mental health outcomes, cultural narratives, and access to healing resources.

With this acknowledgment, Umoja sees the healing work we do as contributing towards collective liberation—a world where all individuals thrive, free from oppressive structures. We hold space for liberation in our therapeutic practice by:

  1. Creating Safe Spaces:

    • We foster an environment where clients feel seen, heard, and validated. By acknowledging their experiences and identities, we create safe spaces for exploration and healing.

    • Our therapy sessions become microcosms of liberation, where clients can express themselves authentically without fear of judgment.

  2. Supporting Client Empowerment:

    • We support clients to recognize their agency and advocate for their needs as well as the needs of their families and communities.

    • Through psychoeducation, we equip clients with tools to identify and navigate oppressive systems. We discuss coping strategies, self-advocacy, and community resources.

  3. Addressing Internalized Oppression:

    • We explore how internalized oppression manifests within clients. This may involve examining self-limiting beliefs, shame, and feelings of unworthiness.

    • By challenging these internalized narratives, we support clients in reclaiming their power and agency.

  4. Embracing Cultural Humility and Understanding Intersectionality:

    • We approach clients with cultural humility, recognizing that their experiences are shaped by intersecting identities.

    • By understanding the impact of race, gender, sexuality, and other factors, we tailor our therapeutic interventions to honor their unique contexts.

  5. Trauma-Informed Practices:

    • Trauma often intersects with systemic oppression. We use trauma-informed approaches to address historical and ongoing trauma.

    • Our goal is to help clients heal from both personal and collective wounds.

  6. Challenging Dominant Narratives:

    • We critically examine dominant narratives that perpetuate oppression and impact our clients’ experiences and perspectives. This includes media portrayals, stereotypes, and harmful cultural norms.

    • In therapy, we co-create alternative narratives that empower clients and challenge oppressive scripts.

  7. Self-Reflection and Continuous Learning:

    • As therapists, we engage in ongoing self-reflection. We examine our biases, privilege, and blind spots.

    • By staying informed about social justice issues, we model lifelong learning and growth.

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