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Layers of Loss: Structural Racism and Intergenerational Trauma

Wednesday, January 13th, 2027   10:00 AM EST -1:00 PM EST
Dr. Lisa Connors
$59.99 USD

This interactive community healing circle webinar invites participants to explore the layered experiences of grief, trauma, and loss through an ecological trauma framework. Moving beyond traditional understandings of grief as death-related, this session examines non-death losses connected to identity, culture, safety, belonging, opportunity, and collective experiences across generations. Participants will explore how the legacy of chattel slavery and structural racism has shaped historical, intergenerational, and community experiences of loss, resilience, and healing.

Through guided reflection, dialogue, and shared learning, participants will engage in a healing-centered space to examine how trauma is experienced across individual, family, community, institutional, and societal levels. This experience will explore historical trauma, collective grief, ambiguous loss, and pathways toward healing and resilience. Participants will deepen their understanding of the relationship between systemic inequities, generational experiences of loss, and the importance of culturally responsive approaches to healing.

About the Presenter

Dr. Lisa Connors is the Associate Pastor of In His Image International Ministry in Maryland and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Maryland and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania. She is also a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a Board-Certified Coach (BCC), a Master Addiction Counselor (MAC), a Certified Thanatologist (CT), and a Fellow in Thanatology (FT). In addition to her pastoral, clinical, and coaching work, Dr. Connors serves as a college professor and as a trainer and consultant, and she is an active member of numerous local, state, and national professional organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work, a Master of Divinity, a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling, and a PhD in Psychology.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Describe the ecological framework of trauma and how historical and ongoing experiences of structural racism influence individuals, families, communities, and systems.
  2. Examine the impact of chattel slavery, historical trauma, and intergenerational loss on experiences of identity, culture, safety, opportunity, and belonging across generations.
  3. Apply trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches that support healing, resilience, and connection within communities impacted by historical and systemic inequities.

Agenda:

Welcome, Opening, and Community Agreements (10 minutes)

      • Introduction and purpose of the healing circle
      • Establishing a trauma-informed and respectful learning environment
      • Overview of learning objectives and participant expectations
  •  
  • Understanding Trauma Through an Ecological Framework (20 minutes)
    • Introduction to the ecological model of trauma
    • Exploring trauma across individual, family, community, institutional, and societal levels
    • Understanding how systems and environments shape experiences of loss
  •  
  • Beyond Death Loss: Exploring Layers of Loss Across Generations (25 minutes)
    • Expanding the understanding of grief beyond bereavement
    • Exploring non-death losses, including:
        • Identity and cultural connection
        • Safety and belonging
        • Opportunity and access
        • Community connection and trust in systems
    • Introduction to ambiguous loss and collective grief
  • Chattel Slavery, Historical Trauma, and Intergenerational Impact (25 minutes)
    • Examining the historical impact of chattel slavery
    • Understanding historical trauma and intergenerational transmission of loss
    • Exploring the relationship between structural racism, resilience, and healing
  • Guided Reflection and Community Dialogue (25 minutes)
    • Facilitated reflection on personal, professional, and community experiences
    • Exploring pathways toward healing, resilience, and connection
    • Small-group or whole-group discussion (as appropriate)
  • Trauma-Informed and Culturally Responsive Healing Approaches (10 minutes)
    • Identifying strategies for supporting individuals and communities
    • Applying trauma-informed principles to practice settings
  • Closing Reflection and Integration (5 minutes)
    • Key takeaways
    • Commitment to continued learning and healing
This presentation is open to:
  • Social Workers
  • Professional Counselors
  • Therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
  • Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
  • Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services
Course Level: intermediate
Level of Clinician: intermediate
  • New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
  • Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
  • Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
  • Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives

Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.

Disability Access - If you require ADA accommodations, please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification. Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling. The grievance policy for trainings provided by NEFESH INTERNATIONAL is available here Satisfactory Completion Participants must have paid the tuition fee, logged in and out each day, attended the entire workshop, and completed an evaluation to receive a certificate (If this is a pre-recorded program, a post-test with a passing grade of 80% to receive a certificate.) Failure to log in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. Certificates are available after satisfactory course completion by clicking here.
There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.
  • CE You! is an approved sponsor of the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing education credits for licensed social workers in Maryland.
    CE You! maintains responsibility for this program.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists. #CAT-0122.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0129.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0325.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0275.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0129.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0325.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0774.
Refund Policy:
Full Refund until 48 hours before scheduled date.
48 hours before: full refund less $5.00 processing fee. After event no refund will be given.
*exclusions apply for reasonable need and cause.
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