Fall Workshop 2020: Exploring the Hidden Costs of Microaggressions In Group

AGPS Fall Workshop

Exploring the Hidden Costs of Microaggressions In Group Therapy

with

3 CEUs available for Social Workers, LPCs, LMFTs, & Psychologists.

Event Description:

In this workshop, participants will trace the ways that unconscious biases affect our communication in groups through microaggressions. We will explore the slippery nature of microaggressions, the ways they can affect group dynamics if they are not addressed, and how it feels to be on either side of a microaggression. Volunteers will sign up beforehand to participate in a demo group which will provide a contained opportunity to explore different ways to navigate the inevitable occurrence of microaggressions.

Presenters:

Lavanya Shankar, PhD

Stacy Nakell, LCSW, CGP

Stacy Spencer, LCSW-S

Neathery Thurmond, LCSW-S, CGP

Aaron Bandy, NBCT, LMSW

Workshop Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

1. Define microaggressions and their hidden messages

2. Open themselves to identifying their own unconscious biases

3. Separate behaviors from unconscious beliefs

4. Recognize ways microaggressions show up in groups and group leadership

5. Understand the leader’s role in addressing microaggressions

About the Presenters:

• Lavanya Shankar is a psychologist in private practice, working with individuals, couples and groups. She specializes in trauma and grief, and has a particular interest in helping clients cultivate healthy relationships. She is involved in ongoing training through the Center for Group Studies in New York. She is also passionate about raising awareness of issues related to diversity.

• Stacy Nakell has had a private practice in Austin for over a decade. She specializes in psychodynamic therapy with hair-pullers and skin-pickers in both individual and group therapy. She has served on the AGPS board and often presents at AGPA Connect and other national conferences.

• Stacy Spencer is the Practice Manager of School-Based Systems of Care at Integral Care, where she oversees campus-based mental health services in four school districts. Services include on-campus psychotherapy, crisis response, teacher trainings, psychiatric services, peer support and suicide prevention. Prior to Integral Care, Stacy worked in the field of residential treatment and foster care in California for 10 years. Stacy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and holds a master's degree in social work from Columbia University.

• Neathery Thurmond (she/her/hers) is a clinical social worker, certified group psychotherapist, board approved supervisor, and owner of a group private practice in Austin, TX. With strong roots in Health at Every Size and social justice, she specializes in eating disorders, body image, LGBTQ+, trauma, and substance use. She strongly believes in the healing power of relationships and takes a relational and attachment based approach to her work. Neathery runs a process group for adults with food and body image struggles and runs a training group for clinicians wanting to specialize in working with food and body image issues. When not working, Neathery enjoys yoga and meditation, being outdoors, listening to live music, checking out the best coffee shops in town, starting and never finishing books, and showing pictures of her dogs to strangers.
  

• Aaron D. Bandy received his MSSW degree from the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin. Aaron is a National Board Certified Teacher for Children with Exceptional Needs, mild to moderate severity. He is currently completing a post-graduate clinical Social Work Fellowship at The University of Texas Austin’s Counseling and Mental Health Center.