Addressing Race-Based Stress/Trauma in Therapy

Workshop Description

Although numerous studies have shown that sociopolitical factors such as race can often influence clients’ counseling concerns, many behavioral healthcare professionals avoid talking about race, particularly with clients of different racial or ethnic backgrounds. The inability or unwillingness to explore the potential relationship between BIPOC clients presenting problems and issues related to race and representation can serve as a significant hindrance to the therapeutic process and client outcomes. This interactive session provides practical, real-world for integrating discussions of race, ethnicity, and culture into counseling so clients can talk more authentically about their concerns.

In this one and a half hours workshop, you will learn to:

1. Recognize their broaching behaviors, attitudes, and proficiency level
2. Discuss empirical research that supports broaching race and ethnicity during the counseling process
3. Apply broaching techniques using case illustrations
4. Describe possible applications in their work setting

Facilitator

Joseph Williams is an Associate Professor of Counselor Education at the University of Virginia. He is a faculty affiliate with Youth-Nex: The U.Va. Center to Promote Effective Youth Development and with the Center for Race and Public Education in the South. His primary research line focuses on resilience-based interventions and policies at the micro and macro levels that neutralized or offset the detrimental effect of racism and poverty on the academic, personal/social, and career development of K-12 students. His second inquiry line focuses on social justice and anti-racist training practices for (K-12) counselors, educators, and other helping professionals.

Besides publishing scholarly articles and book chapters in these areas, he also consults with school districts, communities, associations, and corporations. In 2019, he started Affirm Consulting, LLC to improve equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts and engage people in productive dialogue and action. His most sought-after workshops address topics such as racism, anti-racism, microaggression, implicit bias, privilege, intersectionality, and prejudice. Dr. Williams earned his Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision from the University of Iowa and his M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Minnesota State University.

Partnership

This Empower Series event is presented in partnership with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS).