Research has demonstrated that discrimination and race-related stress are significant and impactful factors in accounting for racial disparities in health across the life course. Experiencing race-related stress can lead to negative psychological consequences, including trauma symptomology. Thus, understanding the unique roles of discrimination and historical legacies of oppression in the experience of trauma as well as identifying factors that impact risk or resilience in the development of psychopathology among these marginalized populations is critical. The current webinar will provide an overview of racial stress and trauma (RST) and its consequences for individuals of color, with a focus on African Americans within the United States. The presentation will highlight challenges and clinical issues in identifying RST along with methods that therapists can use to identify and process RST with clients in the therapeutic context. The presenters will also highlight tools that providers can utilize with youth and adults to promote resilience, empowerment, and healing from experiences of RST.

Presented by:

Sierra Carter, PhD

Farzana Saleem, PhD

Learning Objectives:

1. Develop an understanding of racial stress and trauma (RST)

2. Identify culturally-informed assessment tools and learn therapeutic strategies to discuss racism and process RST with clients in the therapeutic context

3. Discuss practices and identify resources that can contribute to racial healing, resilience, and empowerment for communities of color

Bios:

Dr. Carter is an Assistant Professor in clinical and community psychology at Georgia State University. A common theme throughout much of her work has been examining how racial discrimination, as an acute and chronic stressor, effects development and exacerbation of chronic illnesses and stress-related disorders across the life course. Her research aims to aid in improved identification of mechanisms that can be targeted in prevention and treatment efforts to reduce racial health disparities.

Dr. Saleem received her PhD in the Clinical-Community Psychology and has a clinical focus on trauma with youth. Dr. Saleem is transitioning to an Assistant Professor faculty position at Stanford University in Education. She researches how to reduce the negative consequence racial discrimination on the mental health of Black adolescents and other youth of color. She has a particular emphasis on understanding the benefits of culturally relevant practices that can inform interventions for youth.

References:

Anderson, R. E., & Stevenson, H. C. (2019). RECASTing racial stress and trauma: Theorizing the healing potential of racial socialization in families. American Psychologist, 74(1), 63–75. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000392

Carter, S.E., Ong, M.L., Simons, R.L., Gibbons, F.X., Lei, M.K., & Beach, S.R.H. (2019). The effect of early discrimination on accelerated aging among African Americans. Health Psychology, 38, 1010–1013. doi:10.1037/hea0000788

Comas-Diaz, L. (2016). Racial trauma recovery: a race-informed therapeutic approach to racial wounds. In A. Alvarez, C. Liang, & H. Neville (Eds.). The Cost of Racism for People of Color (pp. 249- 272). American Psychological Association: Washington, DC.

Metzger, I. W., Anderson, R. E., Are, F., & Ritchwood, T. (2020). Healing Interpersonal and Racial Trauma: Integrating Racial Socialization Into Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for African American Youth. Child Maltreatment. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077559520921457

Pieterse, A. L. (2018). Attending to racial trauma in clinical supervision: Enhancing client and supervisee outcomes. The Clinical Supervisor, 37(1), 204-220.

Saleem, F.T., Anderson, R.E. & Williams, M. (2019). Addressing the “Myth” of Racial Trauma: Developmental and Ecological Considerations for Youth of Color. Clinical Child Family Psychology Review 23, 1–14 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-019-00304-1