Schedule

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19

10:00 am–12:00 pm: The Therapeutic Role of Contemplative Practice: Christian Mindfulness and Embodied Healing

The early church valued contemplative practice, and the sacred art of silence, stillness, and intentional
awareness has a long history in Christian and other faith traditions. Mindfulness is a contemporary
approach to contemplative practice and has documented mental and physical health benefits. While
there is Buddhist mindfulness and secular mindfulness, Christian mindfulness has also made important
contributions. This presentation will explore the principles of mindfulness from a Christian perspective, as
well as its challenges and potential benefits.

Learning Objectives:

1. Attendees will be able to define contemplative practice.
2. Attendees will be able to describe the primary principles of mindfulness.
3. Attendees will be able to discuss the ways Christian faith informs mindfulness.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20

10:00 am–12:00 pm: Biblical Narratives of Trauma: Paths to Spiritual and Psychological Restoration

Interpersonal traumas are pervasive and can have long lasting mental health consequences. Numerous
trauma recovery models have emerged in the literature but most do not attend to spirituality, religion, and
faith. Christians are not immune to trauma exposure, and while most feel comfortable seeking support
from ministers, most ministers have not received trauma informed pastoral care training. Mental health
professionals can serve as a bridge for Christian trauma survivors by applying themes from trauma
recovery models to the many narratives of trauma in the Old and New Testaments. This presentation will
utilize some biblical narratives to demonstrate the application of trauma recovery within a Christian
context.

Learning Objectives:

1. Attendees will be able to list potential effects on interpersonal trauma.
2. Attendees will be able to describe some major themes in trauma recovery.
3. Attendees will be able to discuss those themes as illuminated by a biblical trauma narrative.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21

10:00 am–12:00 pm: Wisdom from Womanist Psychology: Integrating Art, Spirit, Activism, and Community

While a growing number of clinicians are familiar with the concept of culturally modified evidence-based
treatments, fewer mental health professionals and students have been exposed to culturally emergent
mental health frameworks of healing. This presentation will discuss the definition of decolonizing
psychology as well as the need for it. The focus of the lecture will be on womanist psychology, including its
framework, theory, and application. While womanist psychology emerges from Black women, the primary
themes can be applied to other populations. Namely, the presentation will highlight the use of the
expressive arts, spirituality, activism, and community support as we attend to and center the
intersectional identities of the marginalized.

Learning objectives:

1. Attendees will be able to define decolonize psychology
2. Attendees will be able to define womanist psychology
3. Attendees will be able to describe 2 practical application of womanist therapy.

12:15 pm–2:00 pm: Alumni Luncheon with Thema Bryant-Davis - Registration coming soon