The work towards anti-oppression has been occurring for 400+ years and it’s time that the field of mental health joins the effort. In graduate school, many therapists are encouraged to be a blank slate so as not to impact our clients. However, what the field regards as “neutral” has perpetuated harm against clients of color and continues to whitewash mental health, preventing a necessary evolution in psychotherapy and potentially society. If you’re wondering how you can address oppression and incorporate liberation values in therapy without imposing your views on your clients, this presentation is for you. 

This presentation will introduce participants to basic concepts of anti-racism and anti-oppression, invite therapists of all backgrounds to their own journey with social justice, and share examples for incorporating principles to address oppression in and out of the therapy room.

Workshop Objectives:

• Participants will describe how white supremacy has negatively impacted the field of mental health.
• Participants will critique how injected racial oppression and injected racial superiority have impacted their work as therapists. 
• Participants will apply anti-oppression principles to their work with clients.

About the Speakers:

Sarah Buino, LCSW, RDDP, CADC, CDWF, NMT is a speaker, teacher, therapist and the founder of the therapy practice Head/Heart Therapy and organizational consulting firm Head/Heart Business Therapy. Sarah is a member of the adjunct faculty at Loyola University Chicago and presents on topics such as shame, therapist wellness, antiracism, trauma, and addiction to organizations all over the country. She’s also the host of a podcast: Conversations With a Wounded Healer which examines the role of one’s own healing while being a care-giving professional. In addition to clinical work with clients, Sarah provides consultation services to therapists and therapeutic organizations who seek professional healing and transformation.

Rayell Grayson is a therapist and the Executive Director at Head/Heart Therapy Inc. Rayell has worked primarily in outpatient settings, providing addiction treatment and individual therapy to those who have, and continue to be, impacted by chronic trauma. She believes that having an understanding of the ways in which historical/intergenerational and present-day trauma impacts our communities is an essential part of the therapeutic healing process. In her work, Rayell empowers and encourages clients to utilize their stories as the driving force to support change, growth and foster resilience. She is a mentor and an advocate for racial and social justice and is passionate about making an impact in BIPOC communities. Rayell holds a Master of Arts degree in clinical counseling psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is a licensed clinical professional counselor and certified alcohol and drug counselor.