*Clinical Conference: *
*The Impact of Race and Socio-Economic Status on the Lives of Our Clients
and on the Therapeutic Dyad*
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
October 25, 2008
9:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
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 them. Considering these
difficulties, it can be 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 presentation will be given by a Caucasian therapist working with a
biracial (African American and Cuban) child. 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. To 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. To increase our understanding and sensitivity to the impact of race
and socio-economic factors on the therapeutic process.
3. To increase our awareness of inherent strengths and resiliency within
this marginalized community. This awareness may be utilized to foster the
therapeutic process.
*CONFERENCE FORMAT*
9:00-9:30 a.m. Registration and light breakfast
9:30-9:50 a.m. 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
9:50–10:45 a.m. *Carlotta Miles, MD *
Our Keynote Speaker will talk 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.
10:45-11:00 a.m. Break
11:00-12:00 a.m. *Phillip** Marshall, MD* will present a 51 year old
African American Woman diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, PTSD, Borderline
Personality and seizure disorder. He received his MD degree from the
University of Maryland School of Medicine and finished his psychiatric
residency training at Howard University Hospital in the spring of 2008. He
is currently on the staff in the Washington County Health System with
Behavioral Health Services.
Following the presentation,*Mary Owen, MSW*, Clinical Director of the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing will discuss the case and facilitate audience questions and comments.
12:00-12:30 a.m. Audience questions and comments
12:30- 1:30 a.m. Lunch provided
1:30- 2:30 p.m. *Mary Owen, MSW*, will present a biracial (African
American and Cuban) child. Mary specializes in serving families experiencing
trauma including sexual abuse, violent death and loss of the biological
home. She has worked with diverse populations and has become very
experienced in dealing with attachment issues and how they impact patients'
lives as well as the therapeutic relationship, from both a client and
therapist perspective.* *
Following the presentation,*Nickole Scott Conerly, Ph.D*., Director of Training at Howard University
Counseling Service, will discuss the case and facilitate audience questions
and comments. Dr. Conerly is a certified group psychotherapist and licensed
psychologist. She is passionate about decreasing mental health stigma in
minority populations on campus and in the greater community.
2:30- 3:00 p.m. Audience questions and comments
3:00- 3:15 p.m. Break
3:15- 4:15 p.m. Panel and audience discussion
4:15- 4:30 p.m. Final comments and wrap-up
*LOCATION*
The Washington School of Psychiatry
5028 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, DC, 20016
*Directions* http://www.wspdc.org/maptoWSP.htm
*CE/CME AWARD* – 6
*Fee *- $ 180 **
$ 70 for clinicians working in public service agencies
$ 25 for graduate students with ID
*CONTINUING EDUCATION*
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.
*TO REGISTER***
Please call the School at 202-237-2700 to register. You can also use
the conference
registration form
conference 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.
