Racial Trauma Roundtable

Roundtable Participants:

Dr. Simone Leavell-Bruce, Psy.D.

Behavioral Wellness Clinic (Connecticut and Online)

UNC Charlotte Center for Counseling and Psychological Services

Dr. Simone Leavell-Bruce is a psychologist with specializations in OCD, hoarding disorder, and race-based trauma. She completed her doctorate at Spalding University and is affiliated with the UNC Charlotte Center for Counseling and Psychological Services. Her dissertation was on the psychological and physical associations of race-based trauma among racial justice activists of color.

Learn more about Simone here:

• Behavioral Wellness Clinic Profile
• UNC Charlotte Center for Counseling and Psychological Services Profile
• Podcast on YouTube: #thesecoronatimes

Flora Williams, M.A., tLMFT

Breaking Barriers Therapy Center

Flora Williams is a marriage and family therapist dedicated to assisting clients in reaching their aspirations. Flora founded the Breaking Barriers Therapy Center, where she has the privilege of working with individuals, couples, and families to address concerns and make meaningful change. Her specialties include: trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, grief, and romantic and family relationships. She provides a safe and comfortable atmosphere for every person regardless of creed, color, race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. The therapeutic process is held sacred and she is honored to share space with clients while collectively working towards their established goals. Currently, Flora is pursuing her doctoral degree at Mount Mercy University and looks forward to making contributions that will continue to promote the enrichment the MFT field.

Learn more about Flora here:

• Breaking Barriers Therapy Center
• Psychology Today Profile

Dr. Yun Garrison, PhD

Assistant Professor of Psychology at Bates College in Maine

Dr. Yun Garrison is Assistant Professor of Psychology at Bates College in Maine. She completed her doctorate in counseling psychology at the University of Iowa. She holds degrees in Educational Measurement and Statistics from the University of Iowa and Psychology from Yonsei University in South Korea. Her research interests include: multicultural counseling and supervision, the myth of meritocracy, social class and classism, race and racism, and career issues among underserved populations.

Learn more about Yun here:

• Psychology Specialists of Maine Profile
• ResearchGate Profile

Resources Referenced in Roundtable:

• Resource list for those experiencing racial trauma compiled by Micalah Webster, MSW/MHSA
• Children’s Books on Race and Diversity:
  • PBS: 13 Children’s Books About Race and Diversity
  • Books to Teach White Children and Teens How to Undo Racism And White Supremacy
  • NYTimes: These Books Can Help You Explain Racism and Protest to Your Kids
• Dr. Bruce on the Radio. Polite Racism WCCO in Minneapolis, MN
• DiAngelo, R. (2018). White fragility: Why it's so hard for white people to talk about racism. Beacon Press.
• Robin DiAngelo, PhD Website — Critical Racial and Social Justice Education Resources Page
• Free Reading Guide for “White Fragility” by Robin DiAngelo
• Liu, W. M., Liu, R. Z., Garrison, Y. L., Kim, J. Y. C., Chan, L., Ho, Y., & Yeung, C. W. (2019). Racial trauma, microaggressions, and becoming racially innocuous: The role of acculturation and White supremacist ideology. American Psychologist, 74(1), 143.
• Singh, A. A. (2019). The racial healing handbook: Practical activities to help you challenge privilege, confront systemic racism, and engage in collective healing. New Harbinger Publications.
• Sue, D. W. (2016). Race talk and the conspiracy of silence: Understanding and facilitating difficult dialogues on race. John Wiley & Sons.
• Monnica Williams, Ph.D., ABPP’s “Culturally Speaking” Blog through Psychology Today
• How to Talk to Your Kids About Anti-Racism: A List of Resources