Racial Trauma Trainings - Dr. Isha Metzger

HEALING INTERPERSONAL AND RACIAL TRAUMA: 
INTEGRATING RACIAL SOCIALIZATION INTO TRAUMA FOCUSED
COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR BLACK YOUTH AND FAMILIES

The negative consequences of trauma (e.g., physical abuse) take a disproportionate toll on Black youth due to the compounding stress of unique race related stressors (e.g., witnessing police brutality in the media, microaggressions). This workshop provides an overview of interpersonal and racial trauma; presents research on systemic, organizational, client, and provider barriers and facilitators to mental health service utilization; and discusses strategies clinicians can PRACTICE (Psychoeducation, Relaxation, Affect identification and modulation, Cognitive restructuring, Trauma narrative, In-vivo exposure, Conjoint parent-child sessions, Enhancing safety) to integrate racial socialization into treatment to help Black clients heal from interpersonal and racial stress and trauma.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND FAQs

At the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: 

1) Identify ways that interpersonal and racial stress and trauma impact cognitive, emotional, and behavioral outcomes for BIPOC Americans; 2) Describe research on barriers and facilitators to service utilization for BIPOC clients;
3) Discuss the protective role of racial socialization on behavioral and mental health outcomes for BIPOC Americans; and
4) Contribute to multidisciplinary teams to make culturally informed decisions pertaining to engagement, assessment, and treatment of BIPOC clients.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS THIS WORKSHOP WILL ANSWER

How do you cover racial stressors in the first session for BIPOC clients, and how do we continue the conversation throughout treatment?
How do you address unconscious implicit biases without impacting rapport and talk about racism with clients who do not believe systemic racism is happening?
What makes an effective ally in the therapeutic space? How do white allies do our "work" (Without relying BIPOC clients to educate us), but ensure we make change?
How can clinicians use self-disclosure to connect with BIPOC clients and manage racial injustice and/or microaggressions in the therapy space?
How can BIPOC clinicians stay present in sessions and give themselves adequate self-care when they are also dealing with racial stressors of their own?
What strategies are there for critically and clinically approaching discussions of power dynamics and privilege in therapeutic relationships (especially between white therapists and BIPOC clients)?

"Racism, without being discussed, is often the elephant in the room that plagues therapists, community organizations, corporations, individuals, and our society at large. My job as a consultant is to EMPOWER clients to face the elephant in the room and eradicate racism. Join me and together we will pick up a fork and a knife and learn the only way to eat an elephant-- one bite at a time."

Dr. Isha Metzger

What participants are saying about Racial Trauma Training with Dr. Metzger

I, personally, learned a lot from what you shared, and I feel confident that using your findings as a guide, we will be able to make some very positive changes for clients and providers in the areas of DE&I, hopefully not just now, but in the years to come. Thank you for being so thoughtful in your recommendations and for providing actionable feedback.

What clients are saying about consultation with Dr Metzger

I learned a lot during the workshop and also REALLY appreciated how you guided our discussion, Q&A, and sharing your wisdom. One thing that I took away in particular, was the language that you gave us around noting a broken system and broken learning, different approaches to naming allyship, and the directness of labeling microaggressions or acts of racism, if my client experiences them. I think that level of directness is something I haven't known how to address exactly. Overall, it's really sparked my learning not only with my 1:1 clients, and also how to support coaches as providers too.

What clients are saying about consultation with Dr Metzger

Thank you, again, for making the time to meet with [us] to present your findings to [our partners] today, and of course, for all of your work on the audit. I also want to thank you, not only for the knowledge and ideas you shared with us, but also for being you and making this leg of the journey so much fun!
As [hidden] and I were sharing with [hidden] earlier today, it is not just that you are incredibly insightful and knowledgeable about DE&I and evidence-based therapies, but also that you are a lovely, energetic, and caring person, too.

What clients are saying about consultation with Dr Metzger

One thing that I took away in particular, was the language that you gave us around noting a broken system and broken learning, different approaches to naming allyship, and the directness of labeling micro-aggressions or acts of racism, if my client experiences them. I think that level of directness is something I haven't known how to address exactly.

What clients are saying about consultation with Dr Metzger

I learned so much! The greatest benefit of this workshop was that I had language to explain to a new client of color my role as an advocate, (hopeful) ally position, and that I am consciously working on reducing my unconscious bias. Without this presentation and discussion, I wouldn’t have been ready, but now I am!

What clients are saying about consultation with Dr Metzger

This training was extremely helpful in allowing me to explore race-related challenges in my work and to learn about concrete strategies for validating client experiences and helping my clients who encounter racial stressors in their daily lives resist in ways that allow them to recharge, prevent or help treat symptoms of racial trauma, and ultimately enact social change.

What clients are saying about consultation with Dr Metzger

Dr. Metzger is incredibly insightful and knowledgeable about DE&I and skilled in the culturally sensitive delivery of evidence-based therapies!

What clients are saying about consultation with Dr Metzger

Excellent and timely topic. I enjoyed not only the application of the principles, but found it conceptually very useful to view the impact of racism from the lens of trauma. The latter was not something I had made explicit in mind until now.

What clients are saying about consultation with Dr Metzger

Videos were great and powerfully illustrative. I think having a real person talking about their experiences was very effective capturing the problem rather than just presenting statistics, which we may already know to be true.

What clients are saying about consultation with Dr Metzger

Feedback from the team is exceedingly positive regarding Dr. Metzger's work with us over the past couple weeks. They were already really excited about her research even before these workshops, and between her talent as a presenter, her ability to make it relatable to the team’s clinical work, and the vast array of resources she's provided, this will continue to play a major role in fueling discussions and informing our clinical work going forward.

What clients are saying about consultation with Dr Metzger

Dr. Metzger was a very knowledgeable, incredibly engaging speaker who provided lots of helpful resources on a MUCH NEEDED didactic! My only critique is that I wish we could have her with us for more time, like 2 weeks maybe, because there is so much more we can cover that she touched on and I think is sorely needed in our training!

What clients are saying about consultation with Dr Metzger:

This topic was so much appreciated and the way it was approached by blending personal experience with evidence and information from the literature and her research, applicable techniques and skills, and very natural modeling of the skills was very helpful. Thank you thank you thank you to Dr. Metzger for the important work you're doing! Wonderful presentation style. This was amazing!

What clients are saying about consultation with Dr Metzger:

Dr. Metzger did a wonderful job using her program of research to provide practical ideas for how to tailor treatment while working with Black youth. In addition, I deeply appreciated her tips on how to be a better ally during these difficult times.

What clients are saying about consultation with Dr Metzger

Her enthusiasm for involving undergraduates in research and service, and her insistence that our trainees consider the unique experience of under-represented and marginalized groups in all aspects of their research and practice are perfectly aligned with the goals of our department, and students have already benefited from this relationship!

What clients are saying about consultation with Dr Metzger

"Very well organized and professional presentation. Wonderful speaker. While some of what was presented caused me to want to get defensive, I chose to acknowledge my responses, stay and listen with an open mind, and figure out what pieces of what Dr. Metzger was talking about I could address from my position as an individual and professional. I am thankful for that opportunity!"

Recommended Authored Readings:

Metzger, I., Anderson, R., Are, F., & Ritchwood, T (2021). Healing interpersonal and racial trauma: Integrating Racial Socialization into TF-CBT for African American Youth. Child Maltreatment, 2 6(1), 17-27.
 
Anderson, R., Metzger, I., Applewhite, K., Sawyer, B., Jackson, W., Flores, S., McKenny, M., & Carter, R. (2020). Hands Up, Now What?: Participant Reactions to Family and School Racial Socialization Interventions to Reduce Racial Stress for Black Youth. Journal of Youth Development. 93-109.
 
Williams, M. T., Metzger, I. W., Leins, C., & DeLapp, C. (2018). Assessing racial trauma within a DSM–5 framework: The UConn Racial/Ethnic Stress & Trauma Survey. Practice Innovations, 3(4), 242.
 
Metzger, I., Blevins, C., Calhoun, C., Ritchwood, T., Gilmore, A., Stewart, R., Bountress, K. (2017). An Examination of the Impact of Maladaptive Coping on the Association between Stressor Type and Alcohol Use in College. Journal of American College Health, 65, 534-541.
 
Metzger, I., Cooper, S. M., Flory, K., & Zarrett, N. (2013). Culturally Sensitive Risk-Behavior Prevention Programs for African American Adolescents: A Systematic Analysis. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 16, 187-212.
 
Metzger, I., Cooper, S. M., Ritchwood, T. D., Onyeuku, C., & Griffin, C. B. (2017). Profiles of African American College Students’ Alcohol Use and Sexual Behaviors: Associations with Stress, Racial Discrimination, and Social Support. The Journal of Sex Research, 54(3), 374-385.
 
Metzger, I., Cooper, S., Griffin, C. B., Golden, A., Opara, I., & Ritchwood, T., (2020). Parenting Profiles of Academic and Racial Socialization: Associations with Academic Engagement and Perception of Academic Ability of African American Adolescents. Journal of School Psychology.82;36-48.
 
Metzger, I., Salami, T., Carter, S., Halliday-Boykins, C. A., Anderson R. E., Jernigan, M. M., & Ritchwood, T. (2018). African American Emerging Adults’ Experiences with Racial Discrimination and Drinking Habits: The Moderating Roles of Perceived Stress. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology.
 
Additional readings, assessments, scripts, role plays, clinician activities, and resources are made available for participants!

Recommended Authored Readings:

Metzger, I., Anderson, R., Are, F., & Ritchwood, T (2021). Healing interpersonal and racial trauma: Integrating Racial Socialization into TF-CBT for African American Youth. Child Maltreatment, 2 6(1), 17-27.
 
Anderson, R., Metzger, I., Applewhite, K., Sawyer, B., Jackson, W., Flores, S., McKenny, M., & Carter, R. (2020). Hands Up, Now What?: Participant Reactions to Family and School Racial Socialization Interventions to Reduce Racial Stress for Black Youth. Journal of Youth Development. 93-109.
 
Williams, M. T., Metzger, I. W., Leins, C., & DeLapp, C. (2018). Assessing racial trauma within a DSM–5 framework: The UConn Racial/Ethnic Stress & Trauma Survey. Practice Innovations, 3(4), 242.
 
Metzger, I., Blevins, C., Calhoun, C., Ritchwood, T., Gilmore, A., Stewart, R., Bountress, K. (2017). An Examination of the Impact of Maladaptive Coping on the Association between Stressor Type and Alcohol Use in College. Journal of American College Health, 65, 534-541.
 
Metzger, I., Cooper, S. M., Flory, K., & Zarrett, N. (2013). Culturally Sensitive Risk-Behavior Prevention Programs for African American Adolescents: A Systematic Analysis. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 16, 187-212.
 
Metzger, I., Cooper, S. M., Ritchwood, T. D., Onyeuku, C., & Griffin, C. B. (2017). Profiles of African American College Students’ Alcohol Use and Sexual Behaviors: Associations with Stress, Racial Discrimination, and Social Support. The Journal of Sex Research, 54(3), 374-385.
 
Metzger, I., Cooper, S., Griffin, C. B., Golden, A., Opara, I., & Ritchwood, T., (2020). Parenting Profiles of Academic and Racial Socialization: Associations with Academic Engagement and Perception of Academic Ability of African American Adolescents. Journal of School Psychology.82;36-48.
 
Metzger, I., Salami, T., Carter, S., Halliday-Boykins, C. A., Anderson R. E., Jernigan, M. M., & Ritchwood, T. (2018). African American Emerging Adults’ Experiences with Racial Discrimination and Drinking Habits: The Moderating Roles of Perceived Stress. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology.
 
Additional readings, assessments, scripts, role plays, clinician activities, and resources are made available for participants!

PREVIOUS Racial Trauma Trainings

Child Mind Institute
Minnesota Children’s Alliance
Lyra Health
Delta Airlines, Inc.
National Children’s Alliance
Bowtie Leadership & Development, Inc.
Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan-Flagler Business School
Utah Center for Evidence Based Treatment
Ball State University Department of Special Education
American Family Insurance
Firepower Concepts, LLC
The Cottage Sexual Assault Center and Children's Advocacy Center
The Georgia Center for Child Advocacy
Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center
Gaines Elementary School, Morgan County
Center for Health and Rehabilitation
National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center
The Pediatric Diabetes and Obesity Institute- Healthy Lifestyles Clinic
Auburn University Department of Psychological Sciences
Auburn University Human Development and Family Sciences Department
Child Mind Institute, School and Community Programs
BlueSprig Pediatrics
STRONG STAR Training Initiative and Consortium to Alleviate PTSD
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio