Panel Discussion 1 - Affirming Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Addressing Race-based Stress and Trauma in People of Color

In response to ongoing anti-Black violence, the American Psychological Association has classified racism as a “pandemic.” Racism exists in many forms and advances the harmful notion that in a racial hierarchy, the White racial group is superior to all other racial groups on an individual, institutional, and systemic level. Moreover, racism is associated with trauma, anxiety, and mood-related disorders, as well as poor physical health in people of color (POC; Kirkinis et al., 2018; Paradies, 2006; Williams, 2003). At the intersection of racism and trauma lies race-based stress and trauma (RBST), which refers to POC’s reactions to dangerous events and real or perceived experiences of racial discrimination (e.g., threats of harm and injury, humiliating and shaming events, witnessing racial discrimination toward other POC (Comas-Diaz et al., 2019). Moreover, RBST involves ongoing individual/collective injuries due to exposure and re-exposure to RBST (Comas-Diaz et al., 2019). Nationwide prevalence rates of clients experiencing racial trauma are estimated to be 71% (Hemmings & Evans, 2018), underscoring the importance of available affirming interventions to address RBST for folks seeking mental health support. Panelists were chosen based on their research and clinical expertise in understanding and managing RBST. Panelists will discuss the current research literature on the impact of RBST, including symptoms that may develop after acute or chronic exposure. Additionally, panelists will discuss the scarce literature on effective CBT-based interventions for RBST (e.g., CBT, ACT, Mindfulness) in veterans or service members and civilians. Moreover, panelists will share their experiences with providing affirming, individual, and group-based CBT interventions with POC. This discussion will focus on strategies for increasing empowerment in people and communities of color to cultivate joy in the presence of ongoing racist experiences and environments. Finally, panelists will discuss challenges and solutions for implementing and sustaining CBT-based interventions for addressing RBST in various clinical settings.