As we mark February as Black History & Black Futures Month, CTAMFT moves beyond remembrance and into action, uplifting Black mental health leaders, innovators, and artists who continue to reshape the field. Black innovation in mental health has always been future-focused: challenging systems that cause harm, expanding access to care, and creating culturally grounded approaches to healing. This month, we invite clinicians to engage in reflective thinking about their role in supporting Black communities and advancing equity. Below, you will find questions to help deepen this reflection and guide meaningful action.
This season also aligns with the Lunar New Year, which begins with the new moon and represents renewal and reflection across many East and Southeast Asian cultures. In 2026, we welcome the Year of the Fire Horse, a symbol of intensity, independence, momentum, and bold change. Fire amplifies the Horse’s drive, bringing passion and confidence, while underscoring the need for balance, boundaries, and regulation to avoid burnout or conflict. For therapists, this is a timely opportunity to practice cultural humility in real ways: acknowledging Lunar New Year, understanding its significance, and attending to how intergenerational expectations, identity, autonomy, and transition may emerge in sessions. CTAMFT remains committed to supporting culturally responsive practice and encourages clinicians to engage with our resources and trainings to deepen understanding and strengthen clinical work year-round.
Reflective Questions
| Lunar New Year: Fire Horse |
Black History Month |
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Where in your life do you feel a strong urge to move forward or break free?
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What opportunities do I have to support Black leadership and mentorship within my professional networks? |
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What changes feel exciting and which feel destabilizing?
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How do my own beliefs, assumptions, or biases influence how I work with Black clients, communities, or colleagues? |
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How do you typically manage high energy, urgency, or pressure?
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What strengths, resilience, or creativity within Black culture do I see reflected in my life or community? |
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What boundaries are needed to support momentum without burnout?
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How do I show up for myself and others in ways that recognize and value Black experiences and contributions? |
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What family or cultural expectations feel supportive right now, and which feel restrictive?
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In what ways am I actively challenging systemic barriers to mental health access for Black individuals and communities? |
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As you enter a new cycle, what are you ready to claim for yourself, and what are you ready to let go of?
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Which Black mental health leaders, innovators, or cultural figures inspire my work, and how do I intentionally center their contributions in my practice? |