Social Justice & Anti-Racism Statement

New Way Counseling’s commitment to diversity and social justice means that we strive to attend to issues of power, privilege, and oppression in training, research, and professional service.

We recognize the complexity and intersection of race, ethnicity, class, ability, age, culture, nationality, immigration status, gender and sexuality within society. We work to create a therapeutic experience that welcomes and affirms people to be their whole selves, honoring their multiple identities and lived experiences.

In attempting to do this work, New Way Counseling holds these principles imperative: 

  1. Anti-Racism: centering a recognition of the pervasiveness of racism, white supremacy culture, and the implications for all marginalized BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ peoples.

  2. Accountability: Ongoing self-examination, including vigilance with respect to power dynamics and the assumptions and values underlying views, goals, and commitments.

  3. Accessibility: creating environments that are accessible to all identities.

  4. Empowerment: empowering others as experts on their lives and lived experiences and helping them create sustainable change for themselves. Amplifying and attending to the voices and experiences of marginalized groups and individuals.

  5. Joy: We believe the power of joy and celebration are essential ingredients for healing while working towards social change. Focusing on people’s strengths and engaging these strengths to address challenges, including working toward social change.

  6. Transparency: engaging client-centered decision-making processes and removing barriers to information access. Sharing power, including transparency about power differences, engaging in collaborative processes when appropriate, and fostering the power of marginalized individuals and groups.

References:

Crenshaw, K. (1989). "Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics" (PDF). University of Chicago Legal Forum. 

Goodman, et al. (2004). “Training Counseling Psychologists as Social Justice Agents: Feminist and Multicultural Principles in Action”. (Journal Article). The Counseling Psychologist.