Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity

As we open 2026, CTAMFT is centering New Beginnings and Shared Humanity, a reminder that renewal isn’t tied to a single calendar or culture. This month, we’re highlighting New Year traditions across the Gregorian, Lunar, Orthodox, and early-falling Diwali celebrations to reinforce that belonging is broad, inclusive, and universal. The Lunar New Year arrives on February 17, welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse, a symbol of passion, innovation, and the courage to act on our values, the energy we bring to our work and our communities. Throughout January, we’ll be offering opportunities for connection and reflection, including a vision-building and storytelling session, “What Belonging Looks Like in 2026,” along with shared cultural spotlights on global New Year rituals and wellness practices. This is a year to move forward together, with intention, honesty, and a deeper commitment to one another.

January 2026 Activities for Clients and Clinicians

With Clients	For Clinicians
New Beginnings Narrative Exercise: Invite clients to rewrite a chapter of their “story” that they want to shift in 2026, using cultural values or rituals that matter to them.	Self-of-the-Therapist Reflection: Examine your own cultural assumptions about “new beginnings” and how they shape your clinical lens.
Belonging Mapping: Create a visual map of where clients feel most connected, disconnected, or uncertain, then explore what strengthens their sense of belonging.	Cultural Humility Check-In: Identify one client population or tradition you want to learn more about in 2026 to deepen attunement.
Cultural Ritual Reflection: Ask clients to share any New Year traditions they practice (Gregorian, Lunar, Orthodox, Diwali if early). Explore the meaning, emotions, and values tied to these rituals.	Case Review Through a Belonging Lens: Revisit a few cases to assess where you may have missed an opportunity to support connection or cultural meaning-making.
Fire Horse Values Exploration: Use the themes of passion, courage, and action as prompts to identify where clients want to be bolder in their lives.	Practice Space Audit: Review your office or telehealth environment for cultural inclusivity, accessibility, and signals of belonging.
Intention Setting Through Sensory Anchors: Use smells, sounds, or objects from clients’ cultural backgrounds as grounding tools to set new-year intentions.	Personal Intention Setting: Define the one value you want to act on more boldly this year, as a therapist and as a human.
“Letting Go” Activity: Inspired by global New Year customs, guide clients in naming one mindset, fear, or habit they’re ready to release.	Professional Ritual Reset: Choose a small ritual (breathing practice, gratitude practice, end-of-day grounding) to anchor yourself throughout the year.
Future-Self Letter: Clients write a letter from their future self at the end of 2026, describing growth, healing, and change.	Boundary Refresh: Identify the boundaries that need tightening or restructuring to stay aligned with your values and avoid burnout in 2026.