Radical Care for Clinicians
Submitted by Karly Rodriguez
Location: New York City
As a mental health professional and educator for counselors in training, I wanted to create a space to continue to support and connect with my students who are invested in decarcerating and decolonizing the field of mental health. Myself and a former student are launching a "Radical Care Collective", which is a supportive consultation space for mental health clinicians committed to liberation and combating isolation and individualism by building community, engaging in continued learning/training, and sharing resources.
Why did you choose this intervention or strategy?
Building a practice space outside of academia feels important to honor the relational aspect of learning and countering the idea that education should be transactional and/or discrete in time.
How does this work disrupt the MIC?
Building more support for new clinicians to question and challenge the MIC. Building skills around responding to crisis in ways that are decarceral and connect to ancestral and indigenous ways of healing that go beyond symptom reduction and "coping better" under systems of oppression. Building consciousness around the impacts of racism and building relationships to support/hold each other through growing edges.
Which area(s) of HHP's Theory of Change does this focus on?
Work and Economies, Bodies, Spirit and Culture
What challenges have you faced?
Determining the scope of the work and the focus has been challenging. Wanting to balance community building, political education, and practice all at once. Also figuring out the financial needs/resources has been difficult.
How has this intervention changed over time?
It began with an in-person gathering and now has expanded to an ongoing consultation/support group. Originally we were also thinking it would be a support group for "new clinicians," but have expanded it to be open to anyone invested in this work.