White Privilege and Racism: How to Address It in the Therapy Room
– Lane Arye, PhD & Annie Chen, LMFT [CLASS]

The legacy of colonialism and white supremacy manifests in the therapeutic relationship as unconscious bias, microaggressions, white fragility, and internalized oppression within our work with clients. These dynamics can show up in the therapeutic relationship whether we are aware of them or not. They can lead to disconnection, conflict, and empathic failure, and can prolong the pain our clients feel as a result of racial oppression. They can also contribute to racism and exclusion within our profession. In this training we will:

The presenters will reflect on how we each came to understand our race or racialized identities within the context of US society and culture. Recognize how patterns of colonialism and whiteness permeate our lives and profession. Examine how the legacy of white supremacy centers whiteness and assigns more value to the experiences of White People and less value to those of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Explore the attitudes and patterns of white supremacy and how this may show up in the therapy room between therapists of different racialized identities and clients of different racialized identities. Unpack how white fragility and internalized anti-black, anti-indigenous, anti-Asian, and anti-Latinx sentiments can stop conversations and inhibit curiosity and awareness about our racial impact. Articulate the potential social impact and ethical consequences of remaining unconscious about race in the therapy room. Begin to develop resilience so we can sit in the fire of conversations about race without retreating into defensiveness or fragility. Brainstorm ways to support anti-racism in our profession and institutions.

They will also discuss and brainstorm about cases and scenarios in which white privilege and racism (whether it is our own or our clients’) arise in the therapy room.

Lane Arye, Ph.D. is a senior trainer of Processwork (developed by Arnold Mindell) and a founding faculty member of the Process Work Institute in Portland. He works with individuals and couples, and also facilitates organizations and communities locally and around the world. He co-led a six-year UN funded project in the Balkans that brought together Serbs, Croats, and Muslims after the war to work on ethnic tension and post-war trauma. He’s been deeply researching whiteness, and leading groups for white folks about race, resilience and repair. He lives with his wife and two teens, who grow his heart every day.

Annie Chen, LMFT

is a 1.5 generation Chinese immigrant who is settled on Chochenyo Ohlone (East Bay) lands. She is a marriage and familytherapist who has been helping people have better relationships for over ten years. She authored a book on attachment theory and uses tools that are informed by neuroscience, trauma, and somatic psychology.

COST: 

CIP Member: 

$75 early registration, up to 10 days prior to seminar, $90 after

Non-Members:

Non-member Rate: $100 early registration, up to 10 days prior to seminar, $110 after

CEs:

4 CEs for LMFTs, LCSWs, and Psychologists

Community Institute for Psychotherapy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Community Institute for Psychotherapy maintains responsibility for these programs and their contents.

Accommodations will be made wherever possible to those with disabilities.  Please let us know of any disabilities upon registration, to ensure proper accommodations are put in place prior to workshop/training.

Cancellations must be received in writing 10 business days prior to the seminar or class for a refund minus a $25 cancellation fee.