When we talk about concepts like “post-traumatic growth” and “resilience” it is frequently from places of privilege, individualized and colonial understanding of trauma and treatment. This workshop will challenge capitalistic and colonial concepts of trauma, treatment, and healing. We will use a discussion of the shortfalls and successes of the micro level of practice to start the discussion as well as to open the door to exploring why micro, mezzo, and macro concerns are intertwined and vital to attune to whether you are working in private practice, community practice, education, or policy. The workshop will engage the struggle of participating in the very systems we hope to abolish and replace. Participants are encouraged to come ready to engage with hard topics and dialectics as this workshop will be highly interactive.

This is an updated and enhanced version of what was originally called Decolonizing Trauma Work Parts 1 and 2. This event will center Black Queer experiences but will be useful for anyone looking to help themselves and clients who are trying to work and heal in systems and society which do not have our wellness at heart.

Objectives:

1.     Attendees will gain a greater understanding of trauma work with Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color.
2.     Attendees will be able to assess current standard therapeutic treatments for biases and limitations from a decolonial lens.
3.     Attendees will enhance skills and critical consciousness around the systems in which they participate and practice.
4.     Attendees will examine and name their own expectations and needs as treatment providers and members of the system.

About the Speaker:

Cassandra (Cassie) Walker, LCSW, CCTP is a Black Queer Social Worker, Trauma Therapist,

Writer, Consultant, Gamer, and Activist. They are the founder of their practice, Intersections Center for Complex Healing, PLLC, a clinical program manager for Take This, and a member of the clinical oversight committee for Hope for The Day. Cassie holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Comparative Human Development. They are a liberatory and decolonial healer, trained in the Liberation-Focused Healing Framework, and are a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Level 3 NARM Trained, a Certified NARM Therapist, and are Certified in Hypnotherapy and NLP.

Cassie presents on a diverse array of intersectional topics related to race, gender, sexuality, relationships, gaming, mental wellness, trauma, workplace culture, and social justice. Cassie provides therapy to adults, relationships, and groups. They specialize in the intersections of trauma, identity, and mental wellness. Their podcast Woke Mental Wellness uses tabletop role-playing games to provide discussion about mental wellness.

*Event recordings will be made available to registered attendees after the workshop. The lunch break will be 12:00 pm-12:30 pm CST.

Workshop participants who opt to receive CE certification, please select the CEU option under “Extra Service”. This workshop fulfills the requirements for 4 CE credits. CE sponsorship is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), and credits are applicable to LCSW and transferrable to LCPC in Illinois. If you have a different licensure or are licensed outside of Illinois, please check with your licensure body before purchasing. 

Please note that we require your live attendance in order to issue CE certificates. If you are unable to attend live, please let us know at least 24 hours before the event.