Untying the Strings of Racism and Oppression with Compassion

Untying the Strings of Racism and Oppression

with Compassion:

and

Vinny Dehili, PhD, CGP

The theories at our disposal for therapeutic group work are colorblind. This may seem like a good thing, but it is not. The mental health industry (along with other industries) is based in a white, Eurocentric framework. This framework stigmatizes oppressed individuals rather than investigating and addressing the systems surrounding them. The recognized need to endure the pains of examining and processing the pervasive nature of our oppressive systems has increased. We seek to utilize this opportunity by highlighting the maladaptive socio-cultural context that is germane to our United States.

We are all born into this world desiring unconditional love, care, and acceptance. Just as we do not blame a flower for not thriving in a drought, we seek to change the narrative from placing blame on the oppressed for their oppression. Through this training we seek to compassionately shed light on the covert cognitive and emotional strings of oppression and racism that suffocate us, the community of the United States. These strings serve as barriers to us unifying holistically and recognizing that our differences do not negate that we are interconnected. This is about claiming humanity and love and recognizing that we are all in this together. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss ways in which socio-cultural transference from systemic oppression impacts individual members within the group.
2. Practice concrete, ethical methods to set a frame for discussions of diversity within group therapy to move towards non-discrimination.
3. Review challenges of emotional avoidance that occur when discussing race in group therapy.
4. Address feelings of shame ethically through self-disclosure and how to honor storytelling and personal narratives.
5. Change the emotional narratives of at least 5 specific emotion states to ethically depersonalize blame and decrease defensiveness in racial dialogues.
6. Identify several adaptations made to protect ourselves from recognizing the dehumanization of black people in the United States and its parallel impact on group process, with ethical ways to address these adaptations.
   

Brandon Diggs Williams, BSW, MSW, LCSW

Mr. Williams is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and currently works full-time at the Durham VA Medical Center (DVAMC). He provides individual, couples, and (primarily) group therapy through the VA. He received his Bachelor of Social Work degree in 2005 (UNCG), his Master of Social Work in 2012 (JMSW Program), and his clinical license in 2012. Mr. Williams carries a national certification in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression. He also specializes in personal/spiritual development, transformative thinking, and cultural competency with a focus on the Black community.

Mr. Williams is involved in multiple efforts that contribute to ally-ship, diversity and inclusion, and anti-Black racism efforts at the departmental and facility level at the Durham VA. He created, developed, and facilitates “The Invisible Struggle” therapeutic group which focuses on providing clinical mental health care for veterans dealing with stress unique to Black people in America. He also serves on multiple boards/teams at the DVAMC including: The Antiracism and Black Equity Advisory Board, the Diversity and Inclusion Workgroup, and the Social Work Service Social Justice Committee. Mr. Williams has provided consultation to multiple levels of supervisors from entry level to the director of the Durham VA and the executive leadership team.

Mr. Williams is a Racial Equity Institute Alumni, has participated in their Black and White caucuses, and continues to contribute to the cause of equity when possible. He has also created and leads a community organization called “Lion Tamers” that is dedicated to the holistic development of Black men. This development takes place mainly in “Sharpening Sessions” which are small groups held virtually (due to the pandemic) monthly. During these sessions focus is placed on education, fellowship, and general support.

Dr. Vincent Malik Dehili, PhD, CGP

Vincent Malik Dehili, PhD, CGP, is Group Coordinator and Licensed Psychologist at North Carolina State University. He is Consultation Coordinator with the College Counseling Special Interest Group of the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA), Co-Chair of the AGPA Racial and Ethnic Diversity Special Interest Group and its Liaison to the AGPA Diversity and Equity Task Force. He is Vice President of the Florida Group Psychotherapy Society. He is a Professional Member of the American Psychological Association in Division 49 – Group Psychology. He serves on the American College Counseling Association’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee.

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Continuing Education Credit

Wake AHEC will certify Contact Hours and CEUs for a $30 fee as follows, paid when you register. For Ethics credits; Wake AHEC stated "Participants will receive certificates noting the general Contact Hours and CEUs- we aren’t doing specialty credits so we won’t be noting any Ethics specific credit hours.  Most of the boards will accept the agenda noting the ethics topics (usually in the title) with the certificate." :

Contact Hours Certificate

CEU Certificate

Wake AHEC will provide 1.2 CEU to participants upon completion of this activity.
A participant must attend 100% of the program to receive credit. Partial credit will not be awarded.

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Click this link to download the Workshop Agenda & Schedule:

Final Schedule on Website - CGPS Untying the Strings DEI Workshop January 22-23, 2022.pdf

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What to Expect at Our Workshops:

Experiential Small Groups Explained

What to Expect at a Workshop

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Scholarships Available!

We do not want financial circumstances to prevent you from participating.

Please email your circumstances and what you feel you can afford to president.cgps@gmail.com.