White Privilege/Fragility

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.

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."

I have done a great deal of work to explore and understand my own privilege and identity, and I would love to help you do the same. I believe that systemic racism has negatively impacted all of us societally and individually, and that working toward dismantling these systems (both externally and internally) will have positive impacts on our collective health. I would be honored to be with you on your journey out of shame and into action!

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."

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.

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 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.