In response to current events, we are re-releasing an interview Diana conducted in June 2019 with an African-centered psychologist and expert on racial trauma, Dr. Kristee Haggins. Racism is a public health crisis with deep, ongoing negative impacts on psychological and physical health. In this episode, Dr. Kristee Haggins discusses how to identify racial trauma and strategies to support healing. Dr. Haggins describes how black people can connect with the truth of their history, cultivate healing, and make choices that are good for themselves, their families, and larger communities. Dr. Haggins also offers recommendations for the work that those who do not identify as black can do to promote racial healing and change.

Listen and Learn

How do you know if you or someone you care about is experiencing racial trauma and stress? Effective self-care practices that black communities are using to heal racial trauma together Internal and collective “work” white and other non-black people can do to promote systematic and grassroots change Ways in which mental health professionals can better meet the needs of black and other diverse communities

About Dr. Haggins

Dr. Kristee Haggins is a community healer, African centered psychologist and professor who takes a holistic approach to healing mind, body, spirit, and community. She is a founding member of Safe Black Space Community Healing Circles and is committed to promoting health and wellness particularly in the Black community. Dr. Haggins studied Psychology as an undergraduate at the University of Southern California where she received a B.A. with honors. She earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from The Ohio State University.

Dr. Haggins has had a multifaceted career as a clinician, educator, consultant, trainer, and university administrator. Currently, she is a professor at California Northstate University and at Alliant International University, Sacramento where she teaches courses in multicultural counseling and therapy skills. Dr. Haggins has expertise in racial stress and trauma; African American mental health; multicultural psychology/diversity issues; and spirituality and mental health. She offers training and tailored workshops and consultation in these areas, in addition to others upon request. In 2016 she was awarded the Community Healing Award by the Community Healing Network (CHN) for her collaboration with CHN and the Association of Black Psychologists.

Resources

Dr. Kristee Haggins Web siteSafe Black Space Community Healing CirclesAssociation of Black PsychologistsThe Racial Healing Handbook by Annelise SinghSomebody Told a Lie One Day quote by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

96. Effective Conversations About Diversity Issues with Drs. Anatasia Kim and Alicia del Prado51. The Psychology of Political Division