Since our beginning, we have been committed to anti-oppression work and creating a space for our community to seek services.
We want to acknowledge that our practice, located in Eugene, Oregon, is on the unceded land of the Chelamela, Kalapuya, Siuslaw, and Winefelly. We acknowledge that just living and working on this land as settlers impede a way of life. In 2020, we began to explore ways to "pay the rent" through supporting indigenous communities. In the years following, we have made donations to First Nations organizations whose land we occupy.
We understand oppression as the use of power, either through systems or interpersonal behavior, to subjugate; this oppression leads to increased challenges in receiving mental health care and more barriers to address those challenges. We understand marginalized groups as those who are not part of the dominant norm who are excluded from conversations about- or access to- care because of their identity or an intersection of their identity. Culturally, race, gender identity, romantic identity, sexual orientation, age, physical ability, neuro typical-ness, body size, language, and/or immigration status have been used by the dominant normative to be excluding factors. However, we know this list is not complete
We stand in solidarity with marginalized people and communities. Here is how we are doing anti-oppression work:
Professionally, we are taking trainings and workshops to understand how oppression systems impact mental health. Personally, we're putting in personal process work to deconstruct how we may, intentionally or unintentionally, played a role in perpetuating oppression.
As a practice, as clinicians, and as people, we are examining our intersections of identity and identifying where our privilege is. We aim to use this knowledge to shift power to marginalized groups through personal and professional development and anti-oppressive hiring practices.
We will listen to, rather than assert over, the voices of marginalized peoples. We will use our privilege to elevate the voices and experiences of oppressed groups and hold space for those who have never had the opportunity to have their voice heard.
We will aim to increase access to services by accepting a wide array of commercial insurances and offer a reduced-rate sliding scale.
We are holding each other accountable and seeking professional supervision and consultation from within marginalized communities.
We will seek to promote a space open to feedback by creating an anonymous online feedback form. The aim of creating this anonymous space is for folx in marginalized communities to have space to let us know if they've experienced aggression, micro-aggressions, feel as if we can do better, or need to communicate something to us in a way that promotes safety. We have also set up feedback-loops with many of our community partners, so if folx are not comfortable utilizing the online form, they can provide feedback to the community partner, who will pass it on to us.
We hope to create a brave space:
“Together we will create brave space
Because there is no such thing as a “safe space”
We exist in the real world
We all carry scars and we have all caused wounds.
In this space
We seek to turn down the volume of the outside world,
We amplify voices that fight to be heard elsewhere,
We call each other to more truth and love
We have the right to start somewhere and continue to grow.
We have a responsibility to examine what we think we know.
We will not be perfect.
This space will not be perfect.
It will not always be what we wish it to be
But
It will be our brave space together
and
We will work on it side by side.”
—Micky ScottBey Jones
Therapy should be an unconditional resource of support and an environment of safety. We acknowledge that the field of mental health has not always embraced diversity, has stigmatized and pathologized marginalized voices, and has been exclusionary. As a practice, we will continue to hold up the lens which we work through and understand our biases and knowledge-base do NOT speak for everyone. Alive Holistic Counseling will not pathologize or stigmatize the stories, experiences, and trauma of marginalized peoples.
We recognize that anti-oppression work is a lifelong commitment. We have composed this statement because we want to be transparent about our values and practices. As we continue to learn and listen, learn, and grow as a practice, this document will continue to evolve.