The Diversity Committee was founded in 2017 due to a desire and need to increase ethnic and racial diversity within LA-CAMFT’s membership and leadership. 

The LA-CAMFT Diversity Committee’s mission is to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion for all ethnic, racial, and cultural intersecting identities we represent and serve; ensure visibility and voice for those who have been silenced; increase access to education and training resources; as well as empower all Los Angeles area mental health professionals to become anti-racist healers. 

Over the past 4 years, the Diversity Committee has focused on the following objectives: 

• Therapists of Color Monthly Support Group (TOC) provides a safe place to receive peer support and process experiences of racism (systemic, social, and internalized), discrimination, implicit bias, racist injury, aggression, and micro-aggressions, along with additional experiences that therapists of color encounter in the field of mental health.
• Black Therapist Monthly Support Group provides a safe place for healing, connection, support and building community. In this group, licensed clinicians, associates and students can come together 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. As the late great Maya Angelou once said, “As soon as healing takes place, go out and heal someone else.” May this space, be the support needed to facilitate that journey.
• Presentations that highlight issues that impact underrepresented communities and individuals.
• Outreach to community mental health agencies, graduate schools, and community organizations.
• Expansion of resources and events to the broader Los Angeles area.

To read the LA-CAMFT Declaration of Inclusion, Diversity, and Anti-Racism, click Here.

Questions? Contact the Committee Chair! 

Akiah T. Robinson Selwa, LMFT
Diversity Committee Chair

Akiah Robinson Selwa, LMFT, President of Sunrise Therapy Center, specializes in biblical counseling, trauma-informed therapy, anxiety management, family therapy, grief & loss, and lifespan transitions. With 24 years of collective experience as a domestic violence prevention advocate, psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and mentor, Akiah is skilled in working with families, individuals, children, the BIPOC population, abuse survivors, and members of adoption/foster care constellations. She approaches therapy with cultural humility that promotes acceptance, safety, empowerment, and creativity. Website: sunrisetherapycenter.org.

Contact Information
Phone: 626-788-2024 
LA-CAMFT Diversity Committee Email: DiversityCommittee@lacamft.org                      Work/Private Practice Email: stc@sunrisetherapycenter.org

Therapists of Color Monthly Support Group (TOC) 

Therapists of Color No-Cost Support Group.
Second Sunday of the Month.  11:00 am-1:00 pm PST,  Online.

A safe place to receive peer support and process experiences of racism (systemic, social, and internalized), discrimination, implicit bias, racist injury, aggression, and micro-aggressions, along with additional experiences that therapists of color encounter in the field of mental health.

Black Therapists Support Group (BTSG) 

Black Therapists Support Group.
First Saturday of the Month.  12:00 pm-1:30 pm PST,  Online.

A safe place for healing, connection, support and building community. In this group, licensed clinicians, associates and students can come together 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. As the late great Maya Angelou once said, “As soon as healing takes place, go out and heal someone else.” May this space, be the support needed to facilitate that journey.