As English-speaking therapists, we often have clients from different countries, backgrounds and histories than either us and/or their context in Switzerland. For those of us therapists who may have lived and trained outside of Switzerland, the awareness and narrative about these contexts is very different than professionals here. Many of therapists, and clients may therefore feel even more isolated and unsupported when navigating themes such as culture and race. Educating ourselves as therapists can play an important part of better understanding and supporting our clients in these complex contexts and journeys, especially considering the level of trauma connected to these experiences. Here is one example of a culturally Informed training from a colleague in the ACT Acceptance Commitment Therapy approach.
Culturally Tailored ACT – Targeting Black Racial Trauma
(Fridays May 28th – June 18th)
Given that African Americans have the highest trauma rates in the United States yet are underrepresented in mental health treatment, it is important to address the types of trauma that Blacks experience.
ACT has promise as an intervention that can help to alleviate suffering in this population. The core attributes of ACT – the non-pathologizing approach, the normalization of the experience of suffering, and the empowering focus on life value to improve psychological flexibility – are all aspects noted in prior research as appealing to African Americans.
In this online four-session course (8 CEUs), you will be introduced to POOF, a culturally tailored ACT program to address African American trauma. Sessions include:
Session 1 | May 28, 2021, 1 PM—3 PM EDT ( In Switzerland these times are 18:00-20:00)
Pain & Suffering from a Black Lens
Reenvisioning the Hexaflex
Session 2 | June 4, 2020, 1 PM—3 PM EDT
“It Is What It Is” – Control and Acceptance
“Freedom To Let Go” – Cognitive Defusion
Session 3 | June 11, 2020, 1 PM—3 PM EDT
“In the Here and Now” – Present Moment Awareness
“I am Mor e Than What I Have Been Through” – Self As Context
Session 4 | June 18, 2020, 1 PM—3 PM EDT
“Living Life Like It’s Golden” – Values, personal and collective
“Getting It Done” – Committed Action and Workability
For further information and registration:
For more information about the presenter:
Jennifer Shepard Payne, Ph.D., LCSW
“Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place.” – Zora Neale Hurston