Racial Identity & Community-Building Coaching
for Biracial & Multiracial People
How do we find belonging when our identity doesn't feel simple?
At our core, we all want to belong. We want to feel understood by others. We want to feel like there is a place for us in this world.
This is especially true for those of us who identify as Mixed, Biracial, or Multiracial. In a culture where people find belonging through identity we are often left to figure things out for ourselves.
The question "who are you?" is one many of my clients struggle with, and that I used to struggle with too.
When you carry multiple lineages of ancestry (or even just identities that are culturally considered "contrasting") it can feel like you have to pick and choose elements of who you are in order to belong and receive care.
But you don't have to choose.
There doesn't have to be one single narrative for your life. You can own and embody every aspect of your identity and experience.
It's from that place that you'll be able to build relationships that feel good. It's from that place that you can cultivate the community you've always dreamed of.
I help clients:
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Reduce insecurities and increase confidence
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Release shame about not being "enough"
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Process privilege and guilt and move toward centered accountability
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Move through social anxiety and socially isolation in order to make friends
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Process trauma in your past or existing relationships
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Set and hold healthy boundaries with others
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Reconcile tension between their racial identities
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Address internalized racism and white supremacy
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Recover from traumatic experiences
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Develop tools to cope with stress and conflict
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And more
If you want to know more about what sessions are like, keep reading! Have other questions about fees, scheduling, etc.? That's at the end of this page.
Ready to embody your identities with confidence and start building that community?
What are sessions like?
Getting started:
The first few sessions are focused on getting to know each other better and identifying goals for our work. We’ll discuss any symptoms you may be experiencing, your satisfaction with your life and relationships as is, and the major milestones and main players in your history. I’ll also probably share a number of educational resources with you to supplement our work in session and help you translate new skills into your every day life.
When we begin, there may also be things in your life or your relationship that need immediate attention. We will address those things so that you can focus on your larger goals as our work continues. And, of course, crises may arise throughout our work, and we will also respond to those as they arise.
Finding our stride:
Each session we will decide the focus for our time together. You can of course give me a quick rundown of what's been happening in your life more broadly, but the more we can focus the more effective our work will be.
During sessions, I use a holistic approach which integrates:
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Somatic Resourcing: I’ll teach you how to track and understand what’s happening in your body. We do this through breath, posture, movement, body sensation, nervous system education, and more.
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Self-Leadership: One of the models I use in my work is called Parts Work. Essentially, this model creates space for our multiplicity: many of us already speak about ourselves in parts (e.g. a part of me feels this way…a part of me feels that way…). When we are struggling with trauma, identity, or belonging, we our feelings can be complex. By welcoming our “parts” we can begin to practice leading from a wise, centered place of Self.
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Depth Work: Exploring the roots of what you’re struggling with is critical to sustainable transformation. This includes processing your early life experiences, family of origin, past relationships, and more. This may also include trauma processing, depending on your experiences and desires to do that sort of work.
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Connection: You’re here because you want to build the relationships you’ve always dreamed of. For clients who are isolated, finding ways to connect with others is as important to your wellbeing as the work we do in session together. For clients who are struggling in their existing relationships, we work on deepening intimacy and practicing co-regulation.
Ending
I leave the decision to end our work together up to you. Some people prefer to wrap up once our initially identified goals have been accomplished. Others choose to set new goals or continue simply for the support.
If you're unsure I'm always happy to provide you with my perspective on whether therapy or coaching could continue to be a resource for you, and if so brainstorm with you what that could look like.
Just because we decide to stop meeting doesn't mean we have to say goodbye forever or that I can't be a resource for you. I always welcome old clients back for check-ins or longer-term work, and clients are of course welcome to participate in my workshops and other offerings.
Other FAQ
How much do sessions cost?
Sessions are $220 (50-minute sessions).
How frequent are sessions?
I work with people on a once-weekly or every-other-week basis. I do not provide monthly appointments.
How is coaching different from therapy?
Coaching sessions are not psychotherapy. Coaching is more focused and direct than a therapy session and is best suited for those who feel relatively resourced and stable. If you are looking for more holistic support and you live in Michigan you are eligible for therapy services.
How long do people usually work with you?
I will have a better idea of how long you might expect to work on your initial goals after a few sessions. Together, we can identify the theme and scope of your care.
Where do we meet?
I provide both in-person and virtual services. I'm based in Ypsilanti, MI, and if you are nearby you are more than welcome in my office.