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Clinical Conference: The Impact of Race and Socio-Economic Status on the Lives of Our Clients and on the Therapeutic Dyad

This program was presented on February 23, 2008

Sponsored by The Washington School of Psychiatry, The Wendt Center for Loss and Healing, Howard University Department of Psychiatry, and chaired by Bruce Sklarew, MD

Saturday, February 23, 2008 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

INTRODUCTION

Even experienced mental health professionals find working with marginalized inner city populations very difficult. This population is often characterized by low income, lack of educational and work opportunities, discrimination, abuse, and trauma. At times, it is hard to focus on the inner lives of our clients when basic needs or opportunities that we take for granted are not so readily available to our clients. At times, with these difficulties, it is easy to forget the strengths and resiliency within this community. To work effectively with this population we need to understand how these experiences affect our clients' lives outside our offices as well as how they shape the ongoing therapeutic process and dyad within the confines of our offices.

In this conference, we will explore the impact of race and socio-economic status as they affect our clients' lives and the therapeutic process. Two cases will be presented and discussed. The first case will be that of an African American therapist, working with an African American patient. The second case will be that of a Caucasian therapist working with an African American adolescent group. In both cases, the impact of both socio-economic as well as racial differences and similarities will be explored as they affect both client and clinician.

OBJECTIVES

  1. Increase our understanding and sensitivity to working with marginalized inner city at risk populations and to understand how this work differs and how it is the same as our work with less traumatized populations.
  2. Increase our understanding and sensitivity to the impact of race and socio-economic factors on the therapeutic process.
  3. Increase our awareness of inherent strengths and resiliency within this marginalized community that may be utilized to foster the therapeutic process.

CONFERENCE FORMAT

9:00-9:30am Registration and light breakfast
9:30-9:50am Introductions from sponsors:
Ben Forman, PhD - Co-Chair of the Washington School of Psychiatry's Community Outreach Program
Susan Ley, MSW - Executive Director of the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing
William Lawson, MD, PhD - Chair of Department of Psychiatry Howard University Medical School
9:50-10:45am Carlotta Miles, MD
Our Keynote Speaker will speak about how socio-economic status and race influence different issues in the psychotherapeutic experience and how relationships outside of the nuclear family can influence child development positively. Dr. Miles, Psychoanalyst, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, is a noted speaker on child development and racial issues. She has presented at the Mahler Symposium and has conducted regular workshops to daycare policy makers and providers, psychiatry professionals, and child development specialists in Philadelphia, sponsored by the Philadelphia Psychoanalytic Center. She is in private practice in Washington, DC and is a consultant to the Independent Schools Network locally and nationally.
10:45-11:00am Break
11:00-12:00am Philip Marshall, MD
A Howard University 4th year resident, will present a 51 year old African American woman diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, PTSD, Borderline Personality, and seizure disorder.
Following the presentation, Nickole Scott Conerly, PhD, Director of Howard University Counseling Center, will discuss the case and facilitate audience questions and comments.
12:00-12:30pm Audience questions and comments
12:30- 1:30pm Lunch provided
1:30- 2:30pm Stephanie Handel, MSW
Senior Therapist at the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing and Coordinator of Recover, a bereavement program at the DC City Morgue, will present an African American, coed, adolescent group. Following the presentation, Mary Owen, MSW, Clinical Director at the Wendt Center, will discuss the case.
2:30- 3:00pm Audience questions and comments
3:00- 3:15pm Break
3:15- 4:15pm Panel and audience discussion
4:15- 4:30pm Final comments and wrap-up

CE/CME Award - 6

The Washington School of Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to provide continuing education for psychologists. The Washington School maintains responsibility for the program. The School is approved by the Social Work Board of the State of Maryland as a provider of continuing education for social workers. The School is approved by the Medical Society of Maryland (MEDCHI) for continuing education for psychiatrists.

Fee - $ 180

$ 70 for clinicians working in public service agencies

$ 25 for graduate students with ID

Registration

Please call the School at 202-237-2700 to register. You can also use the conference registration form to register for this seminar by faxing it to WSP at 202-237-2730, or mail the form to: Washington School of Psychiatry, 5028 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Ste. 400, Washington, DC 20016.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS

Refunds will be made for cancellations received at the School office in writing prior to February 15 and are subject to a non- refundable administrative fee of $50.