BHMC Learning Objectives 2025

Thursday, February 27, 2025 (5:30 PM - 7:30 PM EST)

Townhall: Moving Forward: Support, Advocacy & Resources

Description: This Town Hall will focus on the needs and connections of mental health clinicians, emphasizing African American clinicians. This TownHall will be informative and well as inspirational to all clinicians seeking to move beyond surviving to thrive in their profession and private practices. This event will kick off with a dynamic speaker and clinician, Lisa Savage Phillips, LCSW from Delaware. There will be panelists for interactive discussions of professionals who are partners in the fight for mental health awareness and change. Attendees will leave this Town Hall with information on key partners who are available to assist and serve as vital resources in mental health wellness and clinicians’ allies.

Friday, February 28, 2025 (8:30 AM - 5:30 PM EST)

Morning Breakout Session

a. Embracing Holistic Therapy with an Integrative Approach

pRESENTER: Tiffany Luke, LPC, CPCS, TCYM, CYT 300

Description: This session explores holistic therapy through the lens of the Kosha model, highlighting the intersection of science, theory, trauma-informed care, and integrative wellness practices. Participants will gain practical insights into how holistic approaches can support mental health and well-being. The presentation will conclude with experiential activities, guiding attendees through breathwork, movement, and sound techniques for hands-on application.

Learning Objectives: 

  1. Gaining an Understanding of Holistic Therapy Through the Lens of the Kosha Model 

  2. Learning the Intersectionality of Science, Theory, Trauma Informed Care, and holistic therapy 

  3. Overview of the Integration of Holistic Practices to Support Mental Wellness

  4. Engage in experiential practice and apply holistic techniques to include breathwork, movement, and sound 

b. Breaking Free: Moving Beyond the Mental Barriers of Intergenerational Trauma

Presenter: Terrance Dawkins, LCSW

Description: Slavery, Racial Trauma, Discrimination, Oppression, and Segregation are but a few of the profound and enduring traumas that have afflicted all of us for generations. These harrowing experiences have given rise to beliefs and teachings that continue reverberating through the ages, lasting lasting impacts on present-day generations. While these teachings may have once been crucial for survival, they have now transformed into detrimental forces that continue to affect us. The beliefs and teachings handed down from our ancestors profoundly influence how we perceive ourselves, others, and the world at large. They manifest in our daily interactions and can sometimes lead to harmful behaviors that perpetuate cycles of trauma. The weight of the burdens we carry, stemming from generations of trauma, hinders our progress and well-being, even when these burdens are not rightfully ours to bear. Breaking free from these intergenerational cycles necessitates shedding the burdens of the past. We must liberate ourselves from the negative legacies left by historical trauma and find ways to heal from the wounds of our collective past. By acknowledging the impact of these traumas and actively working to dismantle their harmful effects, we pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future.

Learning Objectives

  1. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of what Intergenerational Trauma entails, its definition, and how it is passed down through generations.

  2. Participants will discuss the profound effects of Intergenerational Trauma on individuals' mental health and their ability to engage in healthy interpersonal relationships.

  3. Participants will explore effective strategies and skills to break generational curses and alleviate the burdens of Intergenerational Trauma within families and communities.

C. Black Joy and Self-Compassion: A Path to Wellness

Presenter: Rachael Dubose, LPCC-S

Description: This presentation delves into the intersection of Black identity and self-compassion, providing a supportive space to address the unique challenges faced by the Black community. Through historical context, interactive discussions, and practical exercises, participants will understand self-compassion's role in fostering mental health and strength. By embracing cultural heritage and addressing racial trauma, attendees will learn tools to overcome internalized racism, enhance self-kindness, and build a supportive community. This presentation empowers participants to embrace their identity, practice self-compassion, and cultivate a robust and compassionate mindset.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Understand the Intersection of Black Identity and Self-Compassion: Participants will explore Black identity's unique challenges and strengths and learn how self-compassion can be a powerful tool in addressing and overcoming these challenges.

  2. Recognize and Counteract Internalized Racism and Self-Criticism: Participants will identify the effects of internalized racism and self-criticism on their mental health and learn strategies to counteract these negative thought patterns.

  3. Promote Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being: Participants will understand the importance of self-compassion in promoting overall mental health and emotional well-being and learn how to integrate these practices into their daily lives for sustained growth and healing.

Afternoon Breakout Sessions

A. Black Mental Health, Happiness & Empowerment: Reducing the Impact of Trauma

Presenter: Marcia Blane, LPC, CPCS, CHt

Description: In this training, I will discuss the narrative of trauma, identify the impacts of a traumatic history in the Black community, and tools to change the narrative while confronting the pain.

Learning Objectives

  1. This presentation will assist the audience in moving from a trauma lens to a lens of empowerment while understanding Black Mental Wellness.

  2. Promoting Healing and Empowerment by adopting strategies to reduce trauma, promote happiness, and build emotional resilience.

  3. Encourage actionable change within our family and community.

 

B. “Nature and the Mind”

Presenter: Barjoh Hall, CPSS

Description: Participants with a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between nature and mental health, along with practical tools and strategies for implementation.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Understanding the Connection: There are psychological and physiological benefits to spending time in nature, including its effects on stress reduction, mood enhancement, and overall mental well-being.

  2. Mindfulness Practices in Nature: Learn and practice mindfulness techniques that can be applied in natural settings, enabling them to enhance their awareness and presence while engaging with the environment.

  3. Integrating Nature into Daily Life: Participants will develop a personalized action plan to incorporate regular nature exposure into their routines, fostering ongoing mental health benefits and a deeper connection to their surroundings.


C. They not like us: Autism and its impact on the Black community

Presenter: Kelisa Volson, LPC

Description of training: This training will provide insight and awareness of how autism in the Black community is often stigmatized, misrepresented, and misdiagnosed, which can result in negative impacts for not only individuals but the Black community as a collective. The hopes are to bring more light to this issue, encourage more community support, and provide more advocacy and resources to help bring about more effective treatments specific to the Black community's needs.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Identifying the stigma and misrepresentation of autism in the Black community

  2. Recognizing how a delayed autism diagnosis can impact not only individuals but the community at large

  3. Exploring more culturally competent and sensitive avenues to provide more effective treatments and support for autism in the Black community