Human trafficking, mental health, and systemic oppression intersect, requiring a culturally responsive, individualized, and holistic approach to assessment, diagnosis, and intervention. Join clinical, culturally responsive human trafficking experts, Dr. Shobana Powell and Ashante Taylorcox, as they discuss commonly misdiagnosed and misunderstood mental health symptoms among survivors, as well as the co-occurring mental health needs that often accompany their experiences. This workshop is not only for mental health providers but anyone who works with survivors, as a deeper understanding of the intersections of trauma, mental health, and systemic oppression results in a deeper understanding of survivors. This workshop will also examine the impact of systemic oppression, bias, lack of cultural humility, and lack of language access on mental health diagnosis and treatment for survivors of human trafficking. Attendees will learn about the nuances of victim blaming, implicit bias, and adultification bias, and how these factors can shape access to and interactions with mental health support. By the end of the session, participants will have a better understanding of the complexities of human trafficking and mental health, and will be equipped with practical strategies for enhancing their trauma-informed, culturally responsive approaches to assessment, diagnosis, and intervention.
Trigger Warning: This presentation contains information (written, spoken, or visual) that may be triggering or (re)traumatizing to attendees.
PLEASE NOTE: This session will only be offered live and will NOT be available to watch as an on-demand recording.
Dr. Shobana Powell is the CEO of Shobana Powell Consulting (SPC), a global team of clinical, legal, and lived-experience subject matter experts conducting training, technical assistance, and research on the intersections of human trafficking and systemic oppression. Dr. Powell brings her clinical lens to her organizational and systems change work.
Ashante Taylorcox is a queer dynamic speaker, survivor-leader, clinician, and Black changemaker from New Jersey creating safer environments and systems of care for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ survivors of trafficking. She is the Founder and Executive Director of You Are More Than, Inc. and a nationally recognized expert in racial and gender justice.