A Panel Discussion Among Five Clinicians

Moderated by Diana Hope Baker, LCSW

2 CE Hours available for
NY Practitioners – LCSWs, LMSWs, LPs, LMFTs, LMHCs, LCATs, PHDs, PSYDs

This panel discussion aims to explore the multifaceted experiences of being Black in the therapy room. The discussion will engage both Black and White therapists in the audience and cover key topics such as countertransference, racism, cultural norms, and systemic issues within the psychological field.

The discussion will explore issues of race in working with Black clients and the impact of race on Black clinicians. We believe that this panel discussion will provide a valuable platform for exploring these important issues and promoting a deeper understanding of the experiences of Black individuals in therapy.

Diana Hope Baker, LCSW is a Holistic Social Worker. A native of NY and a transplant to Georgia, Diana obtained her MSW in 2004 from the University of Central Florida with a certificate in Addictions. In addition to her graduate training Diana has post graduate certificates in Clinical Supervision, Psychodynamic Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, and WCSPP’s Psychodynamic Couples Therapy (2022). Diana’s personal and professional journey has led her to her most recent certifications as a holistic trauma therapist, a Level I sound healer, Level II Reiki Practitioner, Level I Ifs therapist, and Certified Yoga Teacher-500. Diana is the Suicide Prevention Coordinator at the Dublin, Georgia VA and the owner of Hope Psychotherapy which focuses on holistic healing of women with anxiety, PTSD, infertility and race related stressors. Diana has also contributed to Essence Magazine as a wellness practitioner. Diana’s passions include traveling and providing community lectures and wellness events focused on the integration of holistic practices and mental health and racial trauma. Diana has a niece and nephews and two bonus children.

Kanita Bourne is a therapist and coach with over 20 years of experience working with young adults and families. She has helped many overcome joy-threatening obstacles and break generational patterns and curses. Kanita’s current mission centers around empowering individuals at the crossroads of their innate religious beliefs, inherited family values, and emerging personal values. She passionately engages with individuals navigating this intricate landscape, supporting them on their journey towards clarity and authenticity. Her work is dedicated to those who find themselves in relationships that no longer resonate with their evolving beliefs and aspirations.

Kamesha Milline-Cardenas, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker in Georgia with over 30 years of experience in the mental health field. Her focus is on mental health and recovery from addictions. She has worked in various settings, including acute crisis, inpatient, ACT (assertive community treatment), residential, and outpatient services. Kamesha has worked with indigenous people in Alaska and grass roots programs focused on women and children, substance use, and populations with severe mental illness. Currently, she works for the Department of Veterans Affairs as a senior social worker focused on intensive outpatient services for veterans with addiction and comorbid mental health issues. Kamesha is trained in CBT-focused substance use treatment and integrated behavioral couples therapy.

Dr. KenWana Vanderbilt is a licensed clinical psychologist in Georgia who has served in the mental health field for 15+ years with a focus on wellness within the workplace and BIPOC community. She has worked in multiple settings including forensics, behavioral medicine, acute crisis stabilization, inpatient psychiatric units, community service board, college counseling, and group practice with a focus on comprehensive psychological evaluations and therapeutic interventions. Currently, she works for the Department of Veterans Affairs where she has served in various leadership roles including Primary Care- Mental Heath Integration Director, Deputy Chief of Mental Health, VA Leadership Coach, and Chief Wellness Officer.

Byron Young, MD is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist, as well as an emotional wellness program developer and consultant. He works primarily as a psychiatrist and psychiatric consultant with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health’s specialized foster care program. Dr. Young is passionate about being impactful in under-resourced and marginalized communities, particularly communities of color, in both his daily work with the LA County DMH and various community oriented projects. He primarily focuses on the intersection of mental health, social justice/racial justice, and the arts though his initiative DoingItWell.org.

CONTINUING EDUCATION – 2 CE HOURS
Teaching Method: Seminar-style Zoom presentation

Learning Objectives:

After this presentation participants will be able to:

1. Understand the complexities of countertransference in therapeutic relationships involving Black clients, including how therapists’ own racial biases and cultural backgrounds can impact the therapeutic process.
2. Explore the manifestations of racism within the therapy room, including microaggressions, stereotypes, and power dynamics, and develop strategies for effectively addressing and dismantling these barriers to therapeutic progress.
3. Examine the influence of cultural norms and systemic issues on the mental health and well-being of Black individuals, and identify ways in which therapists can create culturally competent and affirming spaces for their Black clients to facilitate healing and growth.

The Westchester Center for the Study of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy is recognized by NY State Education Department’s State Board of Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Psychologists #PSY-0050; Licensed Clinical Social Workers #SW-0063; Licensed Psychoanalysts #P-0027; Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists #MFT-0040; Licensed Mental Health Counselors #MHC-0075; and Licensed Creative Arts Therapists #CAT-0028

A completed survey must be submitted after the meeting for 2 CE hours.

Who should attend: Psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, other mental health professionals, nurses, graduate students.