About the Webinar:

The World is diverse; this country is diverse; and we all serve a diverse population of clients. In this webinar, we will explore the history of the field of Psychology and examine its role in racism in America and harm against marginalized communities. Mental health professionals and organizations will gain tools to help move towards practices that affirm DEIJ values. Much of the research, especially in the foundational years of the American Psychological Association, has been skewed to uphold Euro-centric male supremacy. Psychological data has been used to influence policies that have overwhelmingly had negative impacts on marginalized communities. Attendees will learn ways to decolonize therapeutic practices and organizations to better serve diverse populations and advocate for policies that support healing and move away from the sickness model of pathology.

Objectives:

1. Attendees will gain knowledge about the history of the field of psychology and its influence on the system of racism and racial hierarchy from its inception and identify how Euro-centric models of therapy have contributed to the pathology of non-Western bodies.
2. Attendees will examine how the role of psychological data collected from research has been used to influence policies that caused harm to marginalized communities.
3. Attendees will discuss how current policies impact marginalized communities and learn ways to develop a self-reflective practice to recognize and dismantle implicit biases 4. Attendees will gain knowledge and skills on how to decolonize their therapy practices and organizations by integrating decolonized, trauma-informed, and community-centered approaches to therapeutic spaces and practices.

REGISTER NOW

About the Speaker:

Brittney Lollis Tolar brings 13 years of experience in the field of Mental Health and Substance Use Recovery. She began her career in outpatient services in Savannah, GA. She returned to her Alma mater, the great Savannah State University, in 2014 to get her Masters's degree in Social Work with a specialty in Behavioral Health with transitional-age youth. During this time, Brittney gained clinical experience interning at the behavioral health clinic at Fort Stewart Army base. She gained recognition for her research, “Help-Seeking Behavior in Student Athletes,” examining the help-seeking behaviors of student-athletes in need of mental health services and support, winning her two awards. After graduation in 2016, Brittney moved to Texas, where she began her work in residential treatment. In 2019, Brittney was promoted to clinical director of Spearhead Lodge, a residential treatment center for young adult males in Austin, Texas. Brittney has presented at multiple conferences across the country, presenting on Diversity in Substance Abuse Treatment, The Neurobiology of Trauma and Addiction, and Addressing the "Boy Crisis": Treating Young Adult Males with Substance Use Disorder. In 2021, Brittney moved into private practice at Hiatus Wellness in San Marcos, Texas. Here, she co-facilitated wellness retreats while also serving people in individual therapy. In 2022, Brittney opened Metanoia Wellness and Consulting. Since then, she has been providing therapy for individuals and couples who are struggling with complex trauma, substance use recovery, and attachment wounds. She is EMDR trained, a Certified Daring Way facilitator, and trained in The Trauma Conscious Yoga Method(TM). She also works with employees of the Department of Transportation (DOT) as a SAP (substance abuse professional), providing substance use evaluations.