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Self-study is an ethical imperative: Addressing ethnic and race-based traumatic stress
Gail Parker
doi: 10.9769/EP.2024.16.2.GP
Citation (APA style): Parker, G. (2024). Self-study is an ethical imperative: Addressing ethnic and race-based traumatic stress. Energy Psychology: Theory, Research, and Treatment, 16(2), 12–16.
Introduction
As aware members of the human family, we know that when something affects one of us, it affects us all. We live in a multicultural, multiracial, multiethnic society. The United States is not homogenous and we are not all having the same experience. Our communities are becoming more racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse, and clinicians need to keep pace with the shifting demographics and the various contextual realities of different races and ethnicities. While all of us experience various forms of stress and trauma throughout our lives, race-based and ethnic-based traumatic stress are forms of stress and trauma that have been neglected areas of inquiry in most therapeutic modalities. As a result, there are few adequate therapeutic structures in place to help people process their experiences of racial stress and trauma. With xenophobia, racism, and hate speech on the rise worldwide (United Nations, 2023), if the therapeutic community wants to remain relevant, we can no longer afford to ignore this category of harm. Race-based and ethnic-based stress and trauma are real.
Because racialization is pervasive in our culture, regardless of race and ethnicity, whether we are being harmed, harmful, neutral, or witnessing harm, we are all affected. No one is immune. Integrating awareness of race-based traumatic stress into energy psychology practice will enhance the psychologist’s ability to provide effective and culturally sensitive care to clients from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. This knowledge contributes to a more holistic and inclusive approach to mental health and well-being.
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