Commitment to Diversity

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values for me and are at the foundation of my Socio-Logic practice. I recognize and celebrate the uniqueness of each individual, understanding that everyone's life experiences, identities, and perspectives enrich our shared human experience.

I am aware of the profound impact that systemic racism, discrimination, and other forms of social injustice have on members of historically marginalized communities. I understand that these injustices can significantly affect the mental and emotional well-being of individuals, and I am dedicated to addressing these critical issues within my practice.

My commitment extends to providing services that are welcoming and inclusive for all, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, or any other aspect of diversity. As a part of that commitment, I work to provide services that are aware of and responsive to the need of people from different racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. I strive to create an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and supported and where differences are celebrated. I understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion require an ongoing commitment, and I continually aim to learn, grow, and improve in this area.

Diversity: Taking Action

Beyond statements, it is crucial that we take concrete actions to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and reduce the impact of discrimination, prejudice, and bias.

Education

While I am licensed to perform counseling through my psychology master’s degree (MPsy), most of my academic training is in sociology, including my PhD coursework. I am proud to say that sociology actively studies how society marginalizes people based on their social backgrounds and identities--these issues are not an afterthought, but are central to what we study in sociology. Issues related to race, gender, class, LGBTQ+, and discrimination and marginalization based on these, are all integral to the study of sociology. Therefore, all my sociology coursework—bachelor’s, master’s, PhD—have these issues at their core.

Teaching and Research

I teach sociology courses at university, and all my courses address DEI issues. The course I have taught the most is social statistics, where I actively highlight disparities and differences in experiences among various groups. When conducting research, the impact of these differences is always front-and-center.

Work

I consult with organizations on DEI issues. Going beyond providing DEI training, I encourage organizations to develop programs and processes that actively recruit, hire, and retain people from diverse backgrounds. In counseling, I try to work with people of diverse backgrounds, providing support and empowerment when dealing with issues of discrimination and marginalization. My earliest counseling work was predominantly with immigrants and refugees, many of which had experienced trauma from labor and sex trafficking.

Some disadvantaged and marginalized people cannot afford services, so I allocate some time each month to provide free services for those individuals. I also volunteer to facilitate discussions about racism and discrimination with people who struggle to understand these issues in our society.

Social Background

My birth mother was White, and my birth father was a Mexican American whose family was from the Nuevo León region in Mexico. I identify as both Hispanic and White. I was put up for adoption at birth and raised by a White family until I became a teenager. At that point, I moved away from that family and lived in a predominantly Black and Hispanic community until early adulthood.

During that period, I learned trades and, afterward, worked with predominantly White working-class individuals. Later, when I transitioned into professional work, I actively sought employment and education at organizations that had high rates of racial and ethnic diversity.

Language

I believe language is an important element in learning about people and culture. Although I do not speak Spanish as well as I did as a teenager, I actively work to improve my ability. While at university, I also obtained a separate bachelor’s certificate in Chinese Localization and Translation. I am still comfortable reading Chinese, though speaking it remains somewhat challenging, and I enjoy actively learning and experiencing Chinese and Taiwanese culture.