White Privilege/Fragility

I believe that white folks naming and working through internalized supremacy, privilege, and fragility is one component of racial justice and liberation, and that white supremacy culture leads to a variety of mental health conditions.

As a black man who grew up in the conservative south, I know how white supremacy can color the way in which you see people. I have held beliefs about my own people that were abhorrent and based on stereotypes I was taught and experiences I had. My black experience includes being bullied and made fun of by other black people, meaning, I understand what it is like to be on both sides of this dynamic. The antidote to privilege and fragility is a validating environment to be allowed to be curious.

As a multiracial individual who at times passes for White, I've done a lot of self exploration and have participated in much training around White privilege. I enjoy working with clients who are exploring their own White racial identity and especially am interested in helping White therapists so they can better understand and help their clients of color without being fragile when race is brought up in the therapy session.

Every single person is impacted by the culture of white supremacy. I will work with you to identify patterns rooted in whiteness and support you in disrupting them. I believe it is the responsibility of every clinician to acknowledge the ways in which whiteness harms us individually as well as those around us. Without judgment or harshness, I will support you in dismantling your internalized white supremacy and practicing authentic allyship.

Recognizing our privilege is a complex, challenging, sometimes painful and often rewarding process. It can open us to perspectives that help us relate to others, and ourselves, in new ways. Many people do not have safe spaces to have hard conversations about racial bias and white privilege. I provide that space so you can learn, grow, and change. We are ALL connected.

I welcome white people to my practice who are working on their own racism and want to learn to be sturdier allies to people of color.

My graduate work focused on how white identity impacts relationships, communities, and sense of self. I enjoy working with other white individuals, couples, or families around deconstructing the unconscious impacts of white culture and white supremacy in their own lives so they can be empowered to live closer to their own values. I specialize in helping white caregivers and parents create new dynamics within their families and local communities to challenge white supremacy.

Courtney has been a long time activist for social justice and equity. She continues learning by staying involved in local groups like Showing Up for Social Justice, reading books such as, "White Fragility - Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism" and "My Grandmother's Hands: Realized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies," and continuing education courses such as, "Counselors Viewing Systematic Oppression as Trauma."

A Portland, OR Race Talks Consultant and Facilitator since 2018, mentored by Black women and other BIPOC team leaders. Launched in 2020 weekly anti-racism self exploration groups for white people using Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad to do the inner work and stay involved in systemic change efforts for diversity, equity and inclusion. Reparations offer for CA or OR couples with a Black partner or partners to obtain relationship counseling at no charge (or by donation).

Courtney has been a long time activist for social justice and equity. She continues learning by staying involved in local groups like Showing Up for Racial Justice, reading books such as, "White Fragility - Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism" and "My Grandmother's Hands: Realized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies," and continuing education courses such as, "Counselors Viewing Systematic Oppression as Trauma."