Our Commitment to Diversity
The Board of AZEFT proudly supports, promotes, and protects diversity; values all individuals and groups; believes all humans should be free from prejudice and oppression; and fosters a climate where equity and mutual respect are intrinsic. Furthermore, we proudly stand in support of our members dedicated to advancing the fundamental rights, health, safety, and well-being of all individuals, relationships, and communities.
As a Center devoted to supporting mental health professionals from all walks of life who work tirelessly everyday to create safe, secure bonds for individuals, couples, and families, we decry actions that strip humans of their basic right to a secure and loving experience in this world. Acts of violence, hatred, discrimination, abuse of power, and white supremacy have no place in our society. As attachment therapists and psychologists, we seek to unite and bond all humans with love, kindness, and compassion, appreciating the tender hurt and fear that lie inside all of us when we feel unheard and alone.
We are guided by the sage words of EFT Founder, Dr. Sue Johnson, "...we are never as safe and as strong as when we are sure we are loved." Every human, but especially those who have been marginalized and mistreated, deserves the certainty of love. It is our hope that the massive pain and grief carried by so many for so long is finally being heard and validated, and that love and connection will rise from the rubble.
As a Center devoted to supporting mental health professionals from all walks of life who work tirelessly everyday to create safe, secure bonds for individuals, couples, and families, we decry actions that strip humans of their basic right to a secure and loving experience in this world. Acts of violence, hatred, discrimination, abuse of power, and white supremacy have no place in our society. As attachment therapists and psychologists, we seek to unite and bond all humans with love, kindness, and compassion, appreciating the tender hurt and fear that lie inside all of us when we feel unheard and alone.
We are guided by the sage words of EFT Founder, Dr. Sue Johnson, "...we are never as safe and as strong as when we are sure we are loved." Every human, but especially those who have been marginalized and mistreated, deserves the certainty of love. It is our hope that the massive pain and grief carried by so many for so long is finally being heard and validated, and that love and connection will rise from the rubble.
What is AZEFT doing to be more inclusive of and sensitive to issues of diversity?
In 2020, as racial unrest took center stage throughout the United States, AZEFT responded swiftly and fervently with not only a commitment to addressing issues of diversity and equality within our organization, but also a step-by-step plan for how exactly we were going to do that.
First, we hosted a "Listening Session" on June 19, 2020 (yes, the date was intentional) to open up an emotionally-safe conversation for our community members about their experiences with racism, discrimination, and oppression. Facilitated by Dr. Feion Villas and Dr. Zemed Berhe, two phenomenal BIPOC psychologists from San Diego State University who focus on mental health in ethnic minorities, our entire Board and 75+ therapists attended in solidarity, ready to listen and learn as we leaned in to the pain that systemic oppression has caused in the lives of our cherished colleagues and friends. AZEFT is proud to be recognized as the FIRST EFT COMMUNITY in the world to host an emotionally-safe facilitated conversation about racism and oppression in direct response to the events surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement, particularly spurred by the tragic murder of George Floyd.
After this listening session, AZEFT got to work implementing our Diversity plan. Towards this end, we added to our Board with a new position - Director of Diversity and Inclusion - and we were so very lucky to have Reetu DeLeon, LCSW join our Board. From day one, Reetu has worked tirelessly to begin building a solid foundation for how our Board can effectively address issues related to diversity and inclusion.
First, we hosted a "Listening Session" on June 19, 2020 (yes, the date was intentional) to open up an emotionally-safe conversation for our community members about their experiences with racism, discrimination, and oppression. Facilitated by Dr. Feion Villas and Dr. Zemed Berhe, two phenomenal BIPOC psychologists from San Diego State University who focus on mental health in ethnic minorities, our entire Board and 75+ therapists attended in solidarity, ready to listen and learn as we leaned in to the pain that systemic oppression has caused in the lives of our cherished colleagues and friends. AZEFT is proud to be recognized as the FIRST EFT COMMUNITY in the world to host an emotionally-safe facilitated conversation about racism and oppression in direct response to the events surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement, particularly spurred by the tragic murder of George Floyd.
After this listening session, AZEFT got to work implementing our Diversity plan. Towards this end, we added to our Board with a new position - Director of Diversity and Inclusion - and we were so very lucky to have Reetu DeLeon, LCSW join our Board. From day one, Reetu has worked tirelessly to begin building a solid foundation for how our Board can effectively address issues related to diversity and inclusion.
Reetu DeLeon, LCSW
We also created a scholarship fund for therapists who identify as underrepresented and/or work with underrepresented client population(s), and we have enthusiastically awarded up to 5 scholarships per year since 2020. Interested in learning more? Click here.
We sent out a thorough Diversity Survey to our community - both members and non-members - inviting honest feedback about what people are needing from our Board to feel more included and well-trained around diversity and EFT.
And since 2020, we have offered FREE diversity trainings to our community, welcoming anyone who wanted to attend! Please check out our Upcoming Events page for more information about our next Diversity training.
We are so very proud of our progress to date, AND we know that this is a lifelong commitment with no end point. Our organization is firmly committed to maintaining and advancing this progress, guided by the intention to become more and more culturally aware, inclusive, and sensitive with each passing day!
We sent out a thorough Diversity Survey to our community - both members and non-members - inviting honest feedback about what people are needing from our Board to feel more included and well-trained around diversity and EFT.
And since 2020, we have offered FREE diversity trainings to our community, welcoming anyone who wanted to attend! Please check out our Upcoming Events page for more information about our next Diversity training.
We are so very proud of our progress to date, AND we know that this is a lifelong commitment with no end point. Our organization is firmly committed to maintaining and advancing this progress, guided by the intention to become more and more culturally aware, inclusive, and sensitive with each passing day!