MPA Minnesota Multicultural Conference: Difficult Dialogues and Healing Conversations

Bruce Bobbitt, Ph.D., LP; President, Minnesota Psychological Association

Keynote Presentation: Persisting in the Face of Poverty
Rosie Phillips Davis (formerly Bingham), Ph.D., ABPP; 2018 President-Elect, American Psychological Association

18.5 million people live in deep poverty (below 50% of the poverty line) in the United States. The associations between poverty and indicators of behavioral, mental, and physical health are well documented by psychological research spanning several decades.

Some believe that poverty is the result of personal failings and poor decision making rather than structural, systemic contributors. The just world hypothesis states that people believe that the world is basically fair, so people get what they deserve. This presentation will highlight aspects of poverty and challenge the audience to consider 1) what psychology as a profession has to offer to help ameliorate poverty and 2) what each audience member can do to impact poverty.

Break*

Difficult Dialogues
Prominent members of culturally diverse communities will facilitate difficult dialogues among attendees. Specific issues to address will be related to challenges faced within these cultural communities particularly as they experience behavioral health challenges in their daily lives, and as they seek professional assistance with those challenges. The dialog will include an integration of lived experience with the research base in each area.

Dialogue Facilitators:

Is There Room for Freedom of Conscience & Choice in Therapy Decision Making?
Harriett Haynes, Ph.D., LP; Anesh Patel, Psy.D., LP

When I Say ‘Race’ People Run: Barriers to Conversations Addressing Black and White Race Relations in America and Strategies to Overcome Them
BraVada Garrett Akinsanya, Ph.D., LP; Jim Ayers, Ph.D., LP

How Queer is too Queer?  Engaging in Alternative Sexual Practices and Relational Structures as a Sexual or Gender Minority
Tera Jansen, Psy.D., LP, CST; Lisa Johnson, Psy.D., LP, LMFT

When Did it Become "Historical" Trauma?: How We Continue to Oppress Native People Through Systems and Policies
Sierra Yazzie Asamoa-Tutu, M.S.W., LICSW; Robert Klanderud

Difficult Dialogues
Prominent members of culturally diverse communities will facilitate difficult dialogues among attendees. Specific issues to address will be related to challenges faced within these cultural communities particularly as they experience behavioral health challenges in their daily lives, and as they seek professional assistance with those challenges. The dialog will include an integration of lived experience with the research base in each area.

Dialogue Facilitators:

Black Men…Are We Really That Scary?
Willie Garrett, Ed.D., M.S., LP, CEAP; Devon Gilchrist, M.S.W.

By Whose Yardstick are We Measuring Qualifications?: The Barriers of Sentences that Start with, "I'd Love to Hire More Staff of Color But..."
PaHoua Yang, Ph.D., LICSW, LP; Alyssa Vang, Psy.D., LP

Understanding Your White Privilege: A Foundation for Multicultural Advocacy
Jean Chagnon, Ph.D., LP; Maggie George, M.B.A., CPCC

Chasing the American Dream: Is it Really Worth it?
Macarena Corral, Psy.D., LP; Nicole Slavik, Psy.D., LP

Break*

Town Hall Dialogue - The Healing Heart

Rosie Phillips Davis (formerly Bingham), Ph.D., ABPP; 2018 President-Elect, American Psychological Association

Dr. Davis will facilitate a community conversation to bring closure to the day, moving participants to a place of healing while also reinforcing what was learned. This discussion will include integration with the relevant research base.