The LA-CAMFT Black Therapists Support Group

During our “Anti-Racism as a Movement, Not a Moment” Roundtable in August 2020, we came together as a therapeutic community to discuss and address racism and discrimination. We collaborated on what LA-CAMFT can do to be an actively and overtly anti-racist community. We specifically identified needed supports that we, as therapists, and as a therapeutic community, wanted to see provided. One of the many needed supports identified was a Black Therapists Support Group where students, associates, and licensed clinicians could have a safe place to come together to build community, receive support, and process experiences of racism (systemic, social, and internalized), discrimination, implicit bias, and micro-aggressions, along with additional experiences that therapists of African descent encounter in the field of mental health. 

LA-CAMFT Diversity Committee is excited to hear the needs of the therapeutic community and in April 2021 to begin offering a no-cost monthly online Black Therapists Support Group on the first Saturday of the month, from 12pm-1:30pm facilitated by Baaba Hawthorne, LMFT.

Baaba Hawthorne, LMFT is the Clinical Director at Two Chairs in Los Angeles. She was drawn to the field of mental health witnessing the everyday struggles of individuals and families. In their struggles, she learned that mental health matters. As a first-generation American, being connected to her African heritage means a lot to her. She has a unique understanding of how cultural influences play a part in our mental health. Her therapeutic approach is a combination of both evidenced-based practices and establishing a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship. Outside of work, Baaba loves exploring new cultures, trying new foods and traveling internationally.  

Christina “Tina” Cacho Sakai, LMFT, is a Latinx psychotherapist in private practice in NELA (North East Los Angeles) and the LA CAMFT Diversity Committee Chair. Her specializations include self-discovery & empowerment, building healthy relationships, healing from emotional, physical & sexual abuse, and alleviating depression & anxiety. Tina also specializes in finding your passion, tapping into your creativity, and navigating the world through a cultural, racial and LGBTQIA+ lens.