About Love is Key
Where We Come From
Love is Key Counseling was born from a deep connection with my grandparents. I grew up spending a significant amount of time with Edie and Gee. My grandfather, Gee, or better known as Dr. George Hazlehurst, was a doctor who traveled to Hiroshima, Japan and worked with trauma survivors following the bombing. This formed his sense of empathy, curiosity and love, which he carried on through his writings, teachings and raising his eight children, and dozens of grandchildren. He went on to practice internal medicine and author books related to the mind’s effect on illness. Dr. George Hazlehurst wrote a book called Love is the Key, which focused on the philosophical meanings of love and described the essentiality of love of self and others.
Along with this legacy, I have been so fortunate to be taught and mentored by folks who have transformed my worldview and *gently* nudged me to look at the ugly truths of our society imbedded in White Supremacy culture. Working in community mental health for the first half of my career further exposed the toxicity of the systems and laws imbedded in White Supremacy culture and the racism, which impact daily life and mental health. This gift has led to the foundation of Love is Key Counseling in 2022, centered in my grandfather’s and teachers’ values of equity, justice, and love for self, others and our world.
Where We Are Now
We are dedicated to accompanying individuals on their life journeys, shedding light on and actively countering the influence of white supremacy that permeates our daily lives. Our methodology revolves around acknowledging and unpacking both privilege and marginalization, while also celebrating one's unique strengths, joys, and experiences. By embracing self-love, empathy for others, and a profound connection to the world, we strive to foster a deeper understanding of ourselves and our interconnectedness.
Recognizing the prevailing challenges posed by white supremacy and racism within today's societal framework, we are committed to addressing the barriers that impede mental health and overall well-being. The systemic inequalities inherent in these structures inevitably give rise to a myriad of mental health struggles. We are committed to dismantling these barriers through advocacy, education, and personalized care.
Our ultimate goal is to cultivate individual awareness and action toward building an anti-colonial society, one that values and celebrates the contributions of all races and ethnicities.
Further, we aim to extend the same compassion, accountability, and support to our therapists as we do to our clients. Our clinicians engage in continuous development, undergoing training and introspective work to confront their own identities and biases shaped by white supremacy. They are encouraged to practice authentically and autonomously, and to prioritize balance in their professional and personal lives. We all remain committed to ongoing exploration and growth regarding our racial identities, and continuously recognize the profound impact these have on ourselves, our therapeutic approach, and our clients' journeys.