Unmasking Implicit Racial-Bias in Ourselves & Within Systems: Toward Becoming Bias-Resistant
Description
As a society, we are finally beginning to understand that “structural racism” does not represent a single point of impact. We now know that it forms a web of barriers and obstacles for Black and Brown people the impact of which is adversely synergistic and compounding. As a result, Black and Brown individuals experience significant weathering and their communities remain on a perpetual downward trajectory. At the core of structural racism is racial bias, or race-based beliefs, attitudes, and ideas that are socially encoded and embedded into systems which perpetuate them. Today, anti-Black and anti-Brown racial biases, both explicit and implicit, are a deeply ingrained part of American culture. As such, our system of mental health actively facilitates and perpetuates racial bias. This presentation aims to help the participant to recognize their own implicit biases, how they are formed and assumed, and how to recognize them in systems and society. Strategies will also be offered to support participants’ becoming bias-resistant and ultimately reducing the undercurrent of racial bias in our mental health system at large.
Learning Objectives
Attendees will be able to:
• Explore, reflect upon, and identify their own racial biases
• Outline how our brains have a natural proclivity toward bias
• Describe how racial biases are encoded and enacted
• Articulate how racial bias is transmitted from the level of the individual to the system level
• Utilize strategies for developing anti-bias clinical practice within our healthcare system
Instructor Bio
Dr. Monique Swift, proprietor of Swift Solutions Consultant Services, LLC, is a psychologist, a NJ Licensed Professional Counselor, and a NY Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She has almost 30 years of clinical experience in the field of mental health and operates a private practice in Rahway, NJ where she specializes in couple's therapy and trauma. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Swift also offers keynote talks, curriculum design, personal development workshops, and professional training. She consults with religious, community-based, and non-profit organizations, public and private schools, as well as with private groups. As a trauma expert, she offers consultation to organizations that want to become trauma-informed. She specializes in issues that form at the intersection of trauma and race.Dr. Swift is actively involved in racial social justice efforts and initiatives. Her extensive volunteer work typically benefits the Black community specifically, and oppressed and under-served populations, in general. Her volunteer activity often involves grassroots and civic organizing, personal and community empowerment building, and addressing issues of racial inequality, and racial trauma. Dr. Swift serves on several boards including the Board of Advisors for Volunteers of America, the Newark Community Collaborative Board, the Board of Advisors for the Newark Community Street Team, and the Union County Juvenile Conference Committee under the Family Division of the Superior Court. Since 2014, she has also served as an executive board member of the New Jersey Chapter of The Association of Black Psychologist and is immediate Past President of the chapter. Dr. Swift additionally chairs the Strategic Planning Committee of the national board of The Association of Black Psychologist. Dr. Swift’s special interests include youth empowerment, race and social issues, and holistic health.
Dr. Swift does not have any conflicts of interest for this program.
Contact Us
For questions, please contact: ce@gsapp.rutgers.edu
Continuing Education Information
Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0123.
LMFT/MFT and LPC/LAC Licensed in New Jersey: Programs approved by the American Psychological Association are acceptable sources of continuing education credits. Please see https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/regulations/Chapter-34-Subchapters-10-31-Professional-Counselors.pdf, Section: 13:34-15.4 APPROVAL OF COURSES OR PROGRAMS on page 27. For all other professional licenses and certifications, please reference your issuing state board regulations regarding reciprocity of continuing education credits.
Rutgers Graduate School of Applied & Professional Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Rutgers Graduate School of Applied & Professional Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content.