Workshop Description:

Over the last few years, racial divisions have been explored more openly in the American mainstream. However, in most therapeutic relationships, clients of color are likely to not open up if their provider is of a different race. In a time when racial turmoil hits the news daily, worries about safety, belonging, inclusion, etc. are commonplace for both individuals as well as communities of color. When those worries are not expressed in therapeutic encounters, they become the elephant in the room. Learning to listen for the clues and skillfully bringing up race are opportunities to connect meaningfully with your clients of color and provide them with the high quality of care they deserve.

Workshop Objectives:

1. why you should care

2. how to listen for the coded language of race

3. what you can do.

Bio of Presenter:

Sherronda Jamerson, SUDP, MA obtained a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology in 2012 from City University College in Seattle, WA. She became certified as a Chemical Dependency Professional in 2007. For the past 15 years, Sherronda has worked in a wide array of psychiatric and chemical dependency treatment settings, from hospital-based inpatient and day treatment, to methadone and outpatient. She currently sits on Harborview Medical Center’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee and the African American Health Board. She has experience working in community support services for clients with mental health, substance abuse, chemical dependency, and/or co-occurring disorders using evidence-based and promising practices. She provided crisis intervention and counseling, as well as suicide risk assessment to youth and adults accessing community crisis line. She also worked closely with Washington State Department of Corrections staff to coordinate program services for those who were released from prison. Sherronda is also the President of the Washington Federation of State Employees Union local 3488.