Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Graceful Therapy, we recognize the issues that systemic racism have brought to our communities, and we want to be a driving force to promote diversity, equity, and love in our community and the world. As our namesake suggests, the work we do aims to create a more grace-filled society; a more just, equal, and inclusive place for all who walk through our doors. We acknowledge the oppression that Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian people, and other people of color have faced due to white supremacy and we are actively working to decolonize ourselves and our work. We know that discrimination is systemic and includes but is not limited to ageism, ableism, sexism and racism. We acknowledge the oppression, abuse and exclusion that has been inflicted on the LGBTQIA+ community. Therefore, our work aims to deconstruct the barriers that exist. We believe that to offer Grace means not only to show compassion, but also to stand up to injustice and all forms of intolerance. Part of our mission as a place of healing is to challenge ourselves and others when bias or prejudice appears.
Therapy is a place for learning and growth and we hope to continue to transform lives and the world around us. Bell Hooks, a feminist and social activist once stated, “My hope emerges from those places of struggle where I witness individuals positively transforming their lives and the world around them. Educating is a vocation rooted in hopefulness. As teachers we believe that learning is possible, that nothing can keep an open mind from seeking after knowledge and finding a way to know.”
In order to make a statement about equity and diversity there must first be an acknowledgement of systemic barriers that impede the progress of people of Color and those within the LGBTQIA+ community. To this end Graceful Therapy is on a journey to engender itself to become more grace-filled as we adopt policies and practices aimed at equity, diversity and inclusion. We are intentional about lifting the voices of our BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ community members and aim to preserve the integrity, dignity, and autonomy for all people throughout the therapeutic process. We aim to eliminate heternormativity and exclusive language. We honor each individuals’ unique backgrounds and pride our practices on the belief that honoring and celebrating diversity in all its forms sparks creativity, innovation, and wholehearted living.
