Racism in Black Mental Health: Unpacking Implicit Bias in Counseling-View Presentation

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this SMI Advisor webinar led by Jose Villarreal, Dr. Marcus Smith, and Kelly Wimbush Fairley, the focus is on addressing implicit bias in counseling, particularly concerning Black mental health and the impacts of racism. The session highlights the significance of recognizing and addressing implicit bias within therapeutic settings to better serve Black Americans. The webinar offers training units for continuous professional education, reflecting its practical applications for psychologists, social workers, and physicians until August 2023.<br /><br />Dr. Smith and Fairley discuss the historical and systemic issues contributing to mistrust in the Black community towards mental health services. These include the legacy of racial discrimination, flawed healthcare research practices, and the need to integrate cultural theories into therapy. They bring attention to the importance of a trauma-informed approach that involves understanding racial trauma, which often remains unrecognized in traditional diagnostic frameworks like the DSM-5.<br /><br />They advocate for adopting new methodologies that move beyond individualistic approaches by incorporating spiritual practices and non-traditional settings into therapy. They underscore the need for cultural humility, curiosity, and a shift from white-centered standards in therapy to better meet the needs of Black clients.<br /><br />The presentation concludes with a Q&A session, emphasizing the necessity of using language and approaches that resonate with clients' cultural identities to foster trust and engagement in therapy. Resources and further education options are provided to deepen understanding and improve therapeutic practices for Black communities.

Keywords

implicit bias

Black mental health

racism impacts

cultural humility

racial trauma

therapy methodologies

counseling practices

historical mistrust

trauma-informed approach

professional education