February 2023 Newsletter
Hello to the Collective!
It’s the last day of February and we have all made it through some unpredictable weather in California. OSTC has had a busy month and we want to update you on the latest news.
First, we are so excited to announce that we launched the OSTC podcast, My Therapist Is Out!, and we published our first two episodes! Check them out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.
Announcements!
Therapist Group Supervision Starts April 1st.
Email us to sign-up! Only 8 spots available.
This one is for the therapists out there, we are going to start a therapist group supervision program. A big part of the OSTC mission is to support therapists in their career growth, and supervision hours can be a huge hurdle. Our group supervision program will support Associate Therapists, Dance/Movement Therapists, and Art Therapists in collecting their hours towards BBS licensure or BC-DMT or ATR-BC board certification. See the details below, email us to sign-up!
Therapist Group Supervision
Starts Monday April 3rd, 2023
1st & 3rd Mondays
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm - Virtual Meetings
$97 per group - 3 month minimum commitment required
8 participants max
Supervisors Kristen Crowe LPCC, BC-DMT and Renae Johnson LPCC, ATR-BC
Email us to sign-up: info@openspacetherapycollective.com
Monthly Insights:
Happy Black History Month!
Article by Martiza Ruelas (they/she)
We hope you have the chance to not only reflect, learn, celebrate, but also acknowledge the importance of this month. Since childhood many of us are fed the history of this country that is dramatically white-washed. I remember being in elementary school and gaining more awareness that these “history” lessons are not beneficial to any POC. So many great achievements, advances, and milestones were overlooked simply because the person is not white. It is heartbreaking that a lot of us and a lot of children grow up in a system that benefits whiteness and continues to instill racism into them. I’ve noticed the importance of researching and getting my information/ history from outside sources. Black History Month reminds us that history is not just white, it is also black, and credit should be given where it is due. It also brings an awareness that there is so much black excellence to acknowledge and we must continue to cultivate it.
This month I continued to reflect on how black history and black excellence don’t take up just a month, but it’s an everyday type of thing. While I am not someone who identifies as being in the black community, I do acknowledge being a POC how important it is to show up in solidarity. I have heard of the community using oral history to record black stories in the present time. Oral history is accessible in the way that members of the community can do “interview type questions'' and record with consent. When you do this you can create your own black history without a white washed point of view. Hearing this idea helped me realize black history is not only the black elders or black historical figures, black history can also be created and added to by the actions of the black community today. Let us not discredit the history and achievements of our black elders, but let us also give credit to the movements and organizations that help the black community thrive today! <3
Here’s some wonderful local Black-led/owned organizations to consider supporting:
2713 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90057
The mission of LaRayia’s Bodega is to reduce food waste by creating accessibility to nutritious vegan and organic meals.
They also offer $5 Wellness sessions that include: Yoga, Meditation, and Reiki.
4709 Fountain Ave., Los Angeles CA 90029
Project Q is a safe space for LGBTQIA+ youth to be in community. The offerings keep growing, and range from: free haircuts, workshops, donation closet, internships, food + hygiene boxes, community events, and job placement.
5374 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
LA based black owned and operated community space for queer folx~
The organization offers events, workshops, and opportunities to connect in an intentional loving community setting.
Past events cuties have cultivated include: queer family picnics, co-working spaces, sliding scale community healing clinic, workshops, and poetry nights.
6111 S. Gramercy Pl. Ste #4, LA, CA 90047
Up to date and live leads on: job openings, low income- rental listing, childcare, workshops including financial literacy, business development, and employment.
Their IG page shows you upcoming events from several different organizations. The linktree in their bio features several categories for referrals such as legal help, pet resources, networking events, master list of LA resources, and housing support.
Collective Member Spotlight!
Meet Maritza Ruelas
(they/she)
I am the Administrative Assistant at OSTC! I am here to help support your administrative needs as you focus on your personal work with your therapist.
I am an LA native and have lived here my whole life. I am growing my career in HR, and I also have years of experience in social service organizations. I’ve worked in a wide a range of populations, including the Los Angeles LGBTQ center, a suicide hotline, and a Transitional Age Youth shelter. I really enjoyed that one—at the time I was the same age as some of the youth and so it was easy to connect.
Why I chose to work with OSTC
OSTC because I can bring my skills working both in direct service and also working in operations. As a QPOC with an Indigenous background, I actively live in a way that honors my ancestors. OSTC shares my vision—decolonizing mental health and centering the inclusion of marginalized identities.