Anti-racism and anti-white supremacy work

Below are the actions we are taking to help challenge and dismantle racism and white supremacy.  Currently, our practice is composed of only white clinicians.  As white professionals, we have implicit bias and participate in biased systems of power that advantage white people and oppress people of color.  On an ongoing basis, we work to examine our implicit racism and examine how racism is interwoven in the systems of our city, state, and nation.  We do this through dialogue, self-reflection, and education. We recognize that our understanding is limited by our whiteness, and we are looking for any feedback you would like to give.  You can email us at admin@concentricpsychology.com.

• Policy: Our emergency policy does not include calling police, as we believe that police involvement may significantly increase the risk of trauma and violence, especially for our clients of color.  In the spirit of transparency, we also let our clients know that in very extreme circumstances, such as if we think someone may kill themselves or someone else within several hours, and no other emergency contact is available, we may utilize the current emergency response system, 911. We are actively organizing to increase emergency response options in our local community (see below).

• Organizing: We are actively working with other mental health professionals in Rhode Island to change the emergency response options available for mental health emergencies by reallocating funds from the police to unarmed crisis response teams who are trained in de-escalation. 

  Note: We make every effort to limit overlapping spaces with our clients (e.g., your therapist isn’t going to join the same community group you are a part of because that is your space).  However, in small communities, such as the LGBTQ and advocacy communities, this can be complicated!  If you have a concern about being involved in local prison and/or police abolition organizations because your CPS therapist is also involved, please let your therapist know so that they can both ensure your privacy and support you in joining advocacy efforts.

• Finances: We support local and national prison and police abolition groups on a monthly basis:

  • Black and Pink

    • Donation link: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/black---pink-1

  • Black Lives Matter

    • Donation link: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019

• As part of our accountability to sustained action over time, please email us or call us at any time to ask about our current anti-racism work.