Healing and Empowerment in the Face of Racial Trauma: An Interview with Dr. Handford

In this video, we welcome Dr. Handford to discuss her work in the field of psychology and her focus on the study of racial trauma. Dr. Handford shares her background and how her experiences as a Black woman led her to research and study the psychological effects of racism. She defines racial trauma as the psychological experience of encountering and enduring racism or racist acts and explains the importance of providing language and understanding for individuals navigating this experience. Dr. Hanford also delves into how racial trauma can manifest itself in psychological disorders and how it differs from person to person and context to context. This interview provides valuable insight and understanding on the impact of racism on the mental health and well-being of individuals and communities.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What did you learn about racial trauma from Dr. Handford's explanation?

  2. How does Dr. Handford's definition of racial trauma differ from your previous understanding of the term?

  3. What do you think is the importance of providing language and understanding for individuals navigating racial trauma?

  4. Can you think of examples of how racial trauma may manifest itself in psychological disorders?

  5. How can individuals and communities work towards healing and empowerment in the face of racial trauma?

Dr. Ken Carter
Dr. Kenneth Carter received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1993 and in 2007 finished a postdoctoral masters in clinical psychopharmacology from Farleigh Dickenson University. Before joining the faculty at Emory University, Dr. Carter served as a Senior Assistant Research Scientist in the Epidemic Intelligence Service of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention where he researched smoking as a risk marker for suicidal behaviors in adolescents. Currently he is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Oxford College of Emory University where he is actively involved in research and teaching. Dr. Carter has been a psychotherapist and researcher for over 17 years and his work has garnered awards from the National Institutes of Health, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, and the University of Michigan. In addition to research, Dr. Carter’s is actively engaged in translating research in psychology to everyday language. He has appeared in magazines such as mental_floss and Readers Digest, and well as in news programs such as Connect With Kids and NBC’s Today Show.
www.drkencarter.com
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