Course Description:
The Difference Matters Book Study & Consultation Group is a 9-month group that focuses on learning how different social location identities impact communication, along with exploring tools to acknowledge and work with differences in a compassionate manner.
An individual’s social location is a combination of their social identities and the privilege/marginalization that come with them. It is a framework for understanding our experiences as social beings. Our social locations affect how others perceive and treat us and how we perceive and act in the world. Understanding our own social location is foundational to understanding how individual and systemic bias/discrimination operate. And it is only when we can recognize these impacts, that we can intervene and take action to create healthier and more equitable relationships, organizations, and systems.
This group experience is a space for you to expand your understanding of your own and others’ social locations, individual and systemic bias, and discrimination. You will then be supported in identifying ways to disrupt bias in yourself and in others. You can expect to engage in group discussion based on the month’s assigned reading, along with processing videos viewed together in the group.
Learning Objectives:
1. Gain a greater awareness of how your social location identities may impact communication with other individuals with differing social location identities.
2. Explore and practice compassionate ways to communicate about and work with differences.
3. Complete one actionable item each month to improve your interpersonal relationships, workplace communication, or to build a more just society.
Designed For: All types of healers, mental health professionals, social workers, space holders, community leaders and organizers, and educators.
This group is ideal for those who are new in the healing/serving professions, those who did not receive social justice or social location training in their educational programs, and/or those looking for a refresher or a fresh look at the context of privilege, power, and identity.
Location: Online via Zoom
Group Size: 8 Maximum Participants. 2 Spots Left
Dates: 9 Monthly Group Sessions Sept 2025-May 2026. Meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 9-11am.
- Wed, 9/10/25: 9-11am
- Wed, 10/8/25: 9-11am
- Wed, 11/12/25: 9-11am
- Wed, 12/10/25: 9-11am
- Wed, 1/14/26: 9-11am
- Wed, 2/11/26: 9-11am
- Wed, 3/11/25: 9-11am
- Wed, 4/8/25: 9-11am
- Wed, 5/13/25: 9-11am
Check Out the Book
Difference Matters
This captivating book analyzes six salient categories of social identity (gender, race, social class, disability, sexuality, and age) and why difference within and between those categories matter. Author Brenda J Allen motivates readers to value human difference as a positive, enriching feature of society.
Allen reviews U.S. history to show how perceptions of gender, race, social class, sexuality, disability, and age vary throughout time and place. She offers down-to-earth analyses of these social identity categories to reveal relationships between communication and power. She shares frank, personal stories about effects of dominant belief systems on her own attitudes and behaviors. She inspires readers to be authentic and self-reflective.
Meet Your Facilitators
Emily Ringle, LPC, LMFT
Emily Ringle, LPC, LMFT is a psychotherapist and AAMFT clinical supervisor. Emily identifies as multi-ethnic (Chilean & European), cis-gender female, straight, able-bodied, Autistic, and bi-lingual (English & Spanish). She loves information and education! Emily is skilled at creating a space where individuals can reflect, verbally process, and make deliberate, tangible progress in community with supportive witnesses. She is passionate about supporting others on their journey of positive identity development and the pursuit of social justice.
Michael Mendoza, LPC
Michael Mendoza, LPC, LMFT is a psychotherapist and a graduate of the Leadership in Equity and Racial Responsibility Series. Michael identifies as mixed heritage/mixed race, cis-gender male, straight, able-bodied with chronic health conditions, child of an immigrant, trauma survivor, and spiritual. A mentor at heart, he loves to support clinicians and walk alongside them on their journey! Michael is skilled at creating a space of self discovery, meaning, and healing. He is a social justice warrior and personally knows the impact that oppression, trauma, and negative social narratives can have on your soul.
Cost: $75 per group session ($675 total)
- $75 will be charged on the 1st of each month, Sept 1, 2025-May 1, 2026 regardless of whether you attend each group session.
- Your registration commits you to all 9 payments as this is a closed group, limited to 8 participants.
- You are responsible for purchasing the book prior to the start date.
Group Screening
Upon receiving your registration, Emily will schedule a free 30-min individual consultation with you to ensure a good group fit.
Refund Policy
Once registered in the group, no refunds will be given.
Scholarship Spots
If you are in need of a reduced rate, please contact Emily at emily@experiencechange.net. We are committed to ensuring everyone has access to consultation and educational opportunities.
DORA Continuing Professional Development for Colorado Licensed Mental Health Professionals
Colorado mental health professionals can count the hours from this group towards Group Learning/Independent Learning hours for your Continuing Professional Development hours required by DORA. You will need to complete an Independent/Group Learning Form at the completion of the group. Attendance logs will be provided to you for documentation purposes.