Creating Healing Spaces for Those Affected by Race-based Trauma

Categories: AACC BLOG

by Fredrica Brooks-Davis, M.A., Psy.D.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) 2019 Hate Crime Statistics Report, data collected by 15,588 law enforcement agencies reported 7,314 hate crimes that involved 8,559 offenses. There were 8,552 victims of single-bias motivated incidents, of which 57.6% were a result of race/ethnicity/ancestry bias, 20.1% religion bias, and 16.7% sexual orientation bias. Of the 6,406 reported known offenders, 52.6% were White, 23.9% were Black or African-American, and the race was unknown in 14.6%. While the United States has made some progress toward improving race relations, racism, discrimination, and race-based traumatic incidents continue to be problematic for people of color (Comas-Díaz, 2016).

The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder’s (DSM) definition for trauma is used by practitioners, researchers, and schol-ars in the mental health field to inform diagnosis, future research, and treatment. The most recent DSM (5th edition) expanded its definition of trauma from previous versions; however, it does not include in its criteria the types of stress (e.g., discrimination, racism, poverty) that create similar reactions experienced by those either directly exposed to a life-altering event or who witness an event or a combination of traumatic events (Carter et al., 2020; Carter, 2007).

Racial discrimination is identified in the literature as a form of stress that may lead to traumatic reactions by those who experience a negative, race-based encounter (Carter et al., 2020; Carter, 2007). When a person experiences danger due to an actual or perceived experience of racial discrimination, it can lead to stress referred to in the literature as racial trauma or race-based stress (Comas-Díaz et al., 2019; Carter, 2007). Race-based stress is not limited to a personal experience. Observing a person from another ethnic minority group encounter racial discrimination can also trigger a stress response (Comas-Díaz et al., 2019; Carter 2007). According to clinical psychologists, Sabrina Liu and Sheila Modir (2020), secondary trauma may occur in communities of color following a national crisis event such as September 11, 2001, when innocent Middle Eastern Americans were unfairly treated.

Every ethnic minority group (EMG) in the United States has a story to tell and experiences to share concerning racism and discrimination. Compared to other EMGs in the United States, African-Americans by far have endured a longer history of racism and discrimination. Conversely, Asian-American and Hispanic immigrants have experienced challenges assimilating into the United States (Chou et al., 2012; Vega & Rumbant, 1991). Additional research is needed to better understand how these groups are subjected to racial discrimination and race-based stress. Understanding these differences will also help inform the best practices for creating healing spaces. Boston University professor, researcher, and clinical psychologist, Stefan Hofmann, and his colleagues, Tina Chou and Anu Asnaani (2012), conducted a study of the three largest communities of color in the United States: African-Americans, Asian-Americans, and Hispanics. The findings suggest that perceived racial discrimination led to an endorsement of major depressive disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, panic disorder with agoraphobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders.

As the incidents of negative race-based encounters rise and people of color report feeling anxious, angry, and/or depressed, creating healing spaces sensitive to the needs of those directly impacted by these encounters is desperately needed. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (2001), ethnic minorities tend to seek counseling services at lower rates than whites. Stigma, racism, lack of access to healthcare, unemployment, mistrust of the healthcare system, lack of transportation, and finances have all been identified as barriers to treatment (USDHHS, 2001). Speaking with a clergy member and a trusted elder in the community, religious coping and spirituality continue to be survival strategies used by people of color (Comas-Díaz, 2016; USDHHS, 2001). It is important to note that religion is as diverse as race, which means special attention should be taken when incorporating religion or spirituality in the healing process (Milstein et a l., 2010).

As a mental health professional, clergy member, community leader, ministry leader, or teacher, you may or may not currently provide care, minister, or teach individuals affected by race-based trauma. However, as the United States becomes more diverse, there may come a time when you will need to hold space or minister to someone who has experienced race-based trauma. Alternatively, you may feel led to create a healing space via Zoom© for friends or co-workers. When creating this space, it is important to note it does not have to be limited to a physical location; it may also be a virtual platform (e.g., Zoom, Webex®) or a telephone with a camera (e.g., iPhone® and FaceTi me®). Regardless of how the space is created, it is essential to meet face-to-face to ensure privacy. If you feel led to create a safe space for those affected by race-based trauma, consider the following steps before moving forward.

Search your heart and purpose.

The facilitator needs to explore why he/she is interested in creating a healing space and be willing to study his/her thoughts about race and trauma. The goal of having the facilitator explore his/her heart before meeting with the person or group is to learn what areas may need to be healed and what, if any, stereotypes, biases, and prejudices he/she may have toward others. This work is necessary to ensure the facilitator can hold space for those affected by race-based trauma. While providing this resource, the facilitator commits to being an active listener, shows empathy, establishes trust, and respects the individual and his/her experience as it is told.

Seek assistance from others.

Consult with colleagues who have a history of providing care to people of color who have experienced race-based trauma. Consider inviting a subject matter expert (SME) to co-facilitate the initial session if you are hosting a group or workshop. Engage in peer supervision.

Seek knowledge and understanding.

Learn as much as you can about race-based trauma, race-based traumatic stress, microaggressions, and how racism and discrimination impact people of color on both the micro and macro-levels.

Initiate partnerships and/or referrals.

The person who facilitates creating the healing space may not be the one providing the clinical intervention and care. For example, a pastor may want his/her church to be a healing space for community members but is not clinically trained to address the reactions associated with race-based trauma. In this case, the pastor could consult with a culturally-informed mental health professional to host a workshop or clinical group via the church’s Zoom account or at the physical location.

The United States has a long history of racism and discrimination; however, the research and clinical interventions to address the traumatic stress people of color often carry after encountering a race-based incident are inadequate. While the inquiry continues to advance in this area, people affected by race-based trauma need a healing space to reduce the pain and pressure they are experiencing at this very moment. The urgency is upon us. If not now, when? And if not us, who?

This article originally appeared in Christian Counseling Today, Vol. 24 No. 4. Christian Counseling Today is the flagship publication of the American Association of Christian Counselors. To learn more about the AACC, click here.

D. FREDRICA BROOKS-DAVIS, M.A., PS Y.D., is the Founder and Executive Director of the Restoration Center, Inc., a professional counsel-ing center located in Largo, Maryland. She is also the Founder of Destiny Empowerment Consulting Services, LLC, and the Brooks-Davis Institute for Brain Cancer Awareness. Dr. Brooks-Davis earned a Doctor of Psychology degree in Clinical Psychology from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

References

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Carter, R.T. (2007). Racism and psychological and emotional injury: Recognizing and assessing race-based traumatic stress. The Counseling Psychologist, 35, 13-105. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0011000006292033.

Carter, R.T., Kirkinis, K., & Johnson, V.E. (2020). Relationships between trauma symptoms and race-based traumatic stress. Traumatology, 26(1), 11-18. http://dx.di.org/10.1037/trm0000217.

Chavez-Dueñas, N.Y., Adames, H.Y., Perez-Chavez, J.G., & Salas, S.P. (2019). Healing ethno-racial trauma in Latinx immigrant communities: Cultivating hope, resistance, and action. American Psychologist, 74(1). 49-62. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/amp0000289.

Chou, T., Asnaani, A., & Hofmann, S.G. (2012). Perception of racial discrimination and psychopathology across three U.S. ethnic minority groups. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 18(1), 74-81.Comas-Díaz, L. (2016). Racial trauma recovery: A race-informed therapeutic approach to racial wounds. In A.N. Alvarez, C.T.H. Liang, & H.A. Neville (Eds.), Cultural, racial, and ethnic psychology book series. The cost of racism for people of color: Contextualizing experiences of discrimination (249-272). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/14852-012.

Comas-Díaz, L., Hall, G.N., & Neville, H.A. (2016). Racial trauma: Theory, research, and healing: Introduction to the special issue. American Psychologist, 74(1), 1-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/amp0000442.

Liu, S.R., & Modir, S. (2020). The outbreak that was always here: Racial trauma in the context of COVID-19 and implications for mental health providers. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 12(5), 439-442. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/tra0000784.

Milstein, G., Manierre, A., & Yali, A.M. (2010). Psychological care for persons of diverse religions: A collaborative continuum. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 41(5), 371-381.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2001). Mental health: Culture, race, and ethnicity—A supplement to mental health: A report of the surgeon general. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services.

U.S. Department of Justice (2019). Federal Bureau of Investigation 2019 hate crime statistics. https://ucr.fbi.gov/hate-crime/2019.

Vega, W.A., & Rumbaut, R.G. (1991). Ethnic minorities and mental health. Annual Review of Sociology, 17, 351-383. doi:10.1146/ annurev.so.17.080191.002031.