In this poignant episode of ChangeMaking Connections, the remarkable Amelia Ortega guides us through the intricate tapestry of trauma consciousness and the power of group narratives in healing intergenerational wounds.

Together, we delve into the significance of culturally inclusive practices in mindfulness and social justice work, while emphasizing the courage and innovation thriving within the queer and trans community. We also discuss the importance of healing support for healers.

Amelia Ortega

Amelia Ortega, LCSW, currently works as a somatic psychotherapist, organizational consultant, and professor of social work practice. As a nonbinary, mixed Chicanx-identified clinician, Amelia’s work focuses on healing from racial trauma and gender-based violence. Amelia specializes in trauma-conscious facilitation and trauma-informed classroom pedagogies through their role as a senior lecturer at the Columbia University School of Social Work . Amelia’s clinical and teaching practices engage healing generational trauma through use of feminist psychotherapy, EMDR, and their training in the Trauma-Conscious Yoga Method. In 2019 Amelia was named by Negocios Now as one of “NYC’s 40 Latinos under 40” for their trauma therapy work with the LGBTQQ2S Latinx community. They will graduate in May 2024 with a Doctorate in Social Welfare from SUNY Buffalo. For the last three years Amelia has worked on creating a culturally tailored community based group model for healing internalized racial oppression for multiracial adults. They are excited to share this liberation centered healing work with the larger community.

Connect with Amelia

IG. @Feminist_psychotherapy

Website: https://www.amanecercounseling.org/

Resources from the Episode

Anti-Racist Pedagogy Across the Curriculum (ARPAC), St. Cloud State University

Deluca et al.'s review of mindfulness literature focused/inclusive of BIPOC community

Article on mindfulness and values-based living and coping with racism ( ACT model for black community healing)

Dr. Kira Banks' ACT for addressing internalized racial oppression article

Article on mindfulness and values-based living

Poster presentation about Amelia’s research

Transcript

Image descriptions: mauve background, teal and salmon accents. The far left and right image have white blocks in the middle with text. The middle image has a picture Beth smiling at camera.