AGPS Annual Conference

Neuroscience and Racism: The Power of Groups for Overcoming Implicit Bias

with

Dr. Alexis D. Abernethy, Clinical Psychologist, Certified Group Psychotherapist, Professor of Clinical Psychology, and Chief of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

6 CEUs (3 Ethics) Available for Social Workers, LPCs, LMFTs, & Psychologists.

Event Description: 

Alexis D. Abernethy, PhD, CGP, FAGPA, will present on how race-related stimuli are processed in the brain and current insights related to implicit bias. The implications of these insights for group leadership will be discussed, and participants will engage in experiential exercises that will aid them in addressing these issues in groups.

About the Presenter:

Dr. Abernethy is a clinical psychologist and professor in the School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. She is also the Chief of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Fuller. Dr. Abernethy graduated from Howard University with a BS in Psychology and received her MA and PhD from the University of California, Berkeley. She has conducted institutes and workshops nationally on cultural competence and spirituality in group therapy. Dr. Abernethy is a Certified Group Psychotherapist and Fellow of the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA). She has served as Co-Chair of AGPA’s Institute Committee and Annual Meeting and currently serves on the Board of Directors for AGPA.

Dr. Abernethy edited the 2004 special edition of the journal Group on spirituality in group therapy. She contributed the chapter, “A Spiritually Informed Approach to Group Psychotherapy” in Kleinberg’s 2012 edited volume, The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of Group Psychotherapy. She recently co-authored an article with Lee Stevens on “Neuroscience and Racism: The Power of Groups for Overcoming Implicit Bias” and another article with David Allen and Marie Carroll: “Adapting Group Therapy to Address Real World Problems: Insights from Groups Offered in the Bahamas” in The International Journal of Group Psychotherapy (2017).

Event Schedule :

8:45 am Registration closes

9:00-9:15 Announcements/Introduction

9:15-9:35 Lecture by Presenter

9:35-9:50 Discussion/Q & A

9:50-10:15 Lecture by Presenter

10:15-10:30 Discussion/Q & A

10:30-10:40 Break

10:40-11:40 Demonstration Group

11:40-12:00pm Demonstration Group Discussion

12:00-1:15 Lunch

(During lunch break: Optional Zoom lunch socials)

1:15-2:15 Demonstration Group

2:15-2:45 Demonstration Group Discussion

2:45-3:00 Break

3:00-4:10 Questions/Application to Practice

4:10-4:25 Final Thoughts/Wrap-Up

4:25-4:30 Evaluations

4:30-5:30 Optional Zoom social meetups

Workshop Objectives: 

Participants will be able to:

1. Explain how stereotypes are created and maintained in the brain.

2. Identify the key social psychological concepts that influence stereotyping

3. State how implicit racial messages in society affect the brain even at an unconscious level.

4. List three interventions that enhance therapists' abilities to attend to racial dynamics in the process of ethical decision making.

5. Identify how therapists’ backgrounds inform their perspectives when addressing racial dynamics.

6. Identify approaches to address and overcome the problems of implicit racism in a group setting.