Racial Oppression Trauma

Our world can be so unkind for people of color some days. Racial oppression is often subtle and is definitely carried in the body, as a threat response in the nervous system. You know in your bones when something is not right! Tough feelings like terror or internalized shame could be present. At FRG, we use Somatic Experiencing, IFS and Touchwork (if requested) along with other modalities to address these wounds. You are having an expected emotional (and neurological) reaction to a very abnormal world.

At FRG, we understand this. We train and work hard to be ready to support you in an aware, sensitive way. All of our therapists might not be persons of color – to note – but all of us have been doing the work of De-Colonization.

We read, share, consult, consider and attend challenging trainings on the multi-cultural experience, examining our own biases. We hold ourselves and each other to a high standard and look closely when we have not achieved that. We train in the work of Resmaa Menakem, Relentless Indigenous Women, Linda Thai, Jennifer Mullan – and more. We know we need to work harder to gain trust with you if we are white bodied, and we accept this responsibility.

We look forward to the days when a grander awakening occurs in our culture; when people can find more places of safety and understand the effects of centuries of colonizing oppression on our communities (“De-Colonization”). We hope that this work is not needed someday if the world shifts towards kindness. But in the meantime, we want you to emerge knowing you’re loved, valuable and wise.