About Us

 
 

At Sankofa, we do not approach treatment through the lens of pathology or illness. We work to develop your awareness and understanding of how both personal history (exposure to chronic stress; presence of diagnoses, etc.), combined with structural trauma and experiences of oppression have impacted their developed sense of self and current level of functioning. This combination of psychoeducation, historical perspective taking, while centering cultural and clinical mental health practices, is a unique and powerful model.  

 We seek to reduce stigma associated with mental and emotional health, respond to barriers directly impacting the Black community, reduce risk factors associated with limited/restricted access to culturally appropriate care, and intentionally create opportunities to develop and build upon current health and resiliency factors. 

Since opening doors in 2017, of all clients served: 

  • 70% identify as B/I/POC

  • 38% identify as Transgender/Nonbinary or LGBQIA

  • 80% are in trauma recovery

  • 25% enrolled in Medicaid/OHP

 
Sankofa Counseling

Guiding Principles of Sankofa Counseling: 

  • We seek to decrease mental health disparities within the Black community through increasing access to highly skilled, antiracist & trauma-informed therapists

  • We commit to a decolonized view of health & do not assess cultural practices through a lens of pathology nor illness

  • We recognize that racism is inherent in the medical and mental health field. Without commitment to and engagement of antiracist practices, policies & procedures, individuals & communities with racialized, minoritized and intersecting identities will continue to experience predictable and disproportionate harm

  • We utilize a lens of critical race theory, trauma informed care & liberation psychology to guide actions and decision making within all levels of our organization and with the clients we serve, including repair & reconciliation

  • We believe in the inherent healing nature of community, ritual, ancestry, tradition & family

  • We commit to actively name and disrupt oppression as it shows up in the therapy room and the therapeutic process