This session is designed for people who work with African American men, and seek to gain an understanding of how specific Black cultural and racial identity attributes can influence (and promote) a working alliance, well-being, healthy social identity, and strategies for resisting oppression. Seven core cultural features will be emphasized: Improvisation, Time, Spirituality, Communality, Oral Tradition, Rhythm (alternation and synchrony), and Expressiveness—“ITS CORE” for short.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this 6-hour workshop participants will be able to:

Describe psychotherapy as a cultural practice, and how it can be complicit in structural oppression.
Explain the difference between cultural stereotypes and cultural patterns, and how they impact Black men’s lives and experience of psychotherapy.
Describe and explain examples of each attribute of the ITS CORE framework and how conscious use of them can:
- Strengthen the therapeutic alliance
- Potentially improve the benefits of existing treatment models
Describe important racial-cultural differences in masculinities that can have implications for mental health interventions.
Describe how racial identity and critical social analysis can help both provider and client better explore a client’s experiences of racism—with client-provider dynamics in mind.

OUTLINE

Part I -Knowledge

Assessing your knowledge and experience of African American culture (survey).
An introduction to African American culture at ITS CORE; case examples of its use.
Why is it important to take a sociocultural and sociopolitical history, and how to do it.
Distinctive aspects of Black masculinity.
A different kind of stress and trauma: what scholars call “Mundane Extreme Environmental Stress.”
Your racial identity matters: Which combinations can complicate a therapeutic alliance.
Evidence-based practices and cultural-based practices? Do the two come together for Black men?

Part II -Application
Using ITS CORE as a therapeutic asset in common formulations and treatment plans:
A. Working with anger. Or is it depression? - Exploring suicide rates among Black men.
B. Gender-role strain: Cultural assets and challenges for Black men at work, at home, and with the fellas.
D. Why you should consider narrative therapy and group work with Black men. What additional psychoeducational options are available.
E. Toward a holistic, culture-conscious approach towards working with African American men.

AGENDA

9:00 - 10:30 Welcome and Morning Session
10:30 - 10:40 Break
10:40 - 12:15 Morning Session (Continued)
12:15 - 12:45 Lunch Break
12:45 - 2:45 Afternoon Session
2:45 - 2:55 Break
2:55 - 3:25 Afternoon Session (Continued)
3:25 - 3:30 Continuing Education Certificates Distributed

CONTINUING EDUCATION

APA APPROVED SPONSOR

A Healing Paradigm, LLC (AHP) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. AHP maintains responsibility for this program and its contents.

NBCC APPROVED CONTINUING EDUCATION PROVIDER

A Healing Paradigm, LLC (AHP) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6884. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. A Healing Paradigm is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

NASP APPROVED PROVIDER

A Healing Paradigm, LLC (AHP) is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists to offer professional development for school psychologists. AHP maintains responsibility for the program.

ASWB APPROVED PROVIDER

A Healing Paradigm, #1634, is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) www.aswb.org , through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. A Healing Paradigm maintains responsibility for the program. ASWB Approval Period: 08/30/2019 – 08/30/2020. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval for continuing education credits. Social workers participating in this course will receive up to 6 continuing education clock hours.

Cultural Engagement & Therapeutic Work with African-American Men