Racial Identity: Implications for Treatment Effectiveness and the Therapeutic Alliance

Racial Identity: Implications for Treatment Effectiveness and the Therapeutic Alliance

Friday, September 24, 2021

Registration 8:30am Program 9am to 11am

Presented By: Christina Gallman Kemp, Psy.D., Certified School Psychologist

Location: Online Workshop

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

2 CE Credits

This workshop will examine the racial identity development models of William Cross and Janet Helms and it’s relevance for competent psychotherapy. Racial/cultural identity has been associated with a number of phenomena such as self-esteem, academic performance, preference for same-race therapist and career goals.

It is crucial that psychologists understand the important and complex nature of identity development, both their own and that of their patients before they can hope to establish a trusting, effective therapeutic relationship that will be beneficial to their patient. The American Psychological Association states that psychologists should seek training to enhance their understanding and ability to address the needs of diverse populations more adequately. This presentation will also explore the impact of racism on the mental and physical health of Blacks. Shifting from utilizing a deficit model of understanding Blacks to a strengths model will also be explored.

Objectives:

1. Describe Stages of Racial Identity Development (RID) in African Americans and Whites
2. Explain how RID impacts therapist-client match and the success of the therapeutic relationship
3. Demonstrate how knowledge of your stage of RID and assessment of your own personal biases impact case conceptualization and treatment methods
4. Demonstrate understanding of the deficit model and identify ways you can adopt a strengths based approach to treatment

Dr. Christina Kemp is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Certified School Psychologist. Dr. Kemp works full time for the School District of Springfield Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. One of Dr. Kemp’s goals is continuing to research and examine data related to equity in education and ways to decrease the achievement gap between majority and minority students. Dr. Kemp also maintains a private practice which she opened in 2013, where she provides culturally competent therapy to individuals, couples and families. In her practice she also provides psychoeducational and psychological evaluations.

Dr. Kemp has taught a course and several lectures for the Institute of Graduate Clinical Psychology (IGCP) at Widener University where she earned her doctoral degree. She was the alumni mentor for Psychology Noir for two years, a mentoring group for graduate students of color in the IGCP doctoral program. Dr. Kemp’s dissertation research was entitled, “Beyond Pathologizing: Improving Therapeutic Interventions for African Americans” which examined the multiple facets involved in providing competent treatment to this population such as a thorough understanding of racism and the generational traumas it causes; the origin of Western Psychology and its applicability to this population and an examination of racial identity models and the impact on the therapeutic relationship and treatment efficacy.

Dr. Kemp is a member of the Philadelphia Society for Clinical Psychologists, where she has served on the board as Member at Large and was recently elected to serve as President Elect. She is also a member of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association; and the National Association of School Psychologists.

Dr. Kemp received a citation from the City of Philadelphia for her contribution to the field of mental health and was also honored as a Mover and Shaker for her advocacy work. In addition, Dr. Kemp was a presenter at the 2014 Chester Wellness and Resiliency Symposium sponsored by the City of Chester, Northern Children’s Services and Widener University. Dr. Kemp’s passion has always been to help others and advocate for marginalized groups. She is a former member of the National Coalition for 100 Black Women, where she helped plan community events for mental health awareness and women’s health issues. Dr. Kemp has also traveled to Biloxi, Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina, the island of Haiti on several occasions since the devastating earthquake, and most recently to Rockport, Texas to rebuild homes for Hurricane Harvey victims.

PSCP: The Psychology Network is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. PSCP: The Psychology Network maintains responsibility for this program and its content.