12 Ways Racial Trauma Affects Your Work with African Americans

Target audience and instructional level of this course: Intermediate

There is no known conflict of interest or commercial support related to this CE program.

TRAINING

Course Description

This course explores the concept of racial trauma, its sources, effects, and implications for behavioral health services. Key topics include defining racial trauma, its psychological wounds, vulnerabilities, and its impact on dehumanization and treatment approaches. Racial trauma inflicts deep losses, robs identity, wounds morality, and silences individuals. It manifests in various forms, including physical deterioration, misdiagnosis, attachment issues, and a longing for escape. Recognizing and addressing these impacts is crucial for providing effective behavioral health support to African Americans.

Addressing racial trauma requires acknowledging historical and present injustices, fostering safety and trust, promoting cultural humility, and offering holistic support to address the complex interplay of psychological, social, and physical impacts.

Learning Objectives

After completing this training the professional will be able to:

1. Define and describe the concept of racial trauma, including its various manifestations and impacts on individuals and communities, as outlined in the provided article.
2. Describe the six common sources of racial trauma.
3. Outline the four core psychological wounds associated with racial trauma
4. Summarize the importance of identity and belonging in relation to racial trauma, including how these factors are essential for safety, survival, sanity, esteem, relationships, and overall well-being, as discussed by the speaker in the group discussions.
5. Identify strategies and interventions to help build or rebuild identity and a sense of belonging among individuals affected by racial trauma.

Author(s)/Reference(s)

Based on the webinar released June 27, 2023
Developer/Presenter: Pamela Woll, MA, CPS, Senior Consultant African American Behavioral Health Center of Excellence