Innovations in Counseling: Working With Minority Populations

“I’m Free, These Chains Are No Longer Holding Me”: The Natural Recovery Experiences of African American Women

There are many pathways to achieving recovery from illicit substance use, and the most common pathway involves the use of substance use treatment. Research indicates that African American women have lower rates of treatment retention. This can be attributed to the fact that many African American women have unique risk factors that they encounter. Examples include environmental oppression, barriers to treatment, and a history of trauma. Given the complexity of the problem of substance use, what happens when African American women receive substance use treatment that is unsuccessful? This presentation will explore how African American women were able to achieve sustained long-term recovery from substance use by relying on culturally prescribed pathways to recovery that include the Black church, family, religion, and spirituality.

After this presentation, participants will be able to:

• Examine the lived experiences of African American women in long-term recovery from substance use for 5 or more years.
• Understand how forms of recovery capital such as spirituality, religion, the Black church, family, and social support aid in the long-term recovery maintenance from substance misuse.
• Identify approaches to collaborating with community stakeholders, such as the Black church, to help develop community-based partnerships for individuals dealing with substance use–related disorders.
• Discuss strategies to incorporate spirituality and religion in the counseling session.

Q&A

Presenter

Taheera Blount, PhD, NCC, LCMHC

Dr. Taheera Blount is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at North Carolina Central University. She earned her PhD in counselor education and supervision from North Carolina State University. She was the recipient of the 2015 National Board for Certified Counselors Minority Fellowship for her research interest related to the use of spirituality in overcoming substance use–related disorders.

In 2023, Dr. Blount was selected as a Leading Emerging and Diverse Scientists to Success Fellow through the University of Pittsburgh. Before transitioning into higher education, Dr. Blount worked as a community-based therapist with children and adults with mental health and substance use disorders. In addition, Dr. Blount worked as a Professional School Counselor for 5 years with Durham Public Schools.

Dr. Blount’s research interests include the following: the use of spirituality and religion to assist African American women with overcoming mental health and substance use–related challenges, school-based mental health counseling, and career and college readiness among urban youth.

Dr. Blount has presented at local, state, and national conferences. Her work has been featured in Counseling and Values, the Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, and the Journal of School Counseling. In addition, Dr. Blount was featured on the Better Together podcast with the National Free Will Baptist Association.

Dr. Blount serves on the editorial boards for Counseling and Values, Professional School Counseling, and the Journal of Mental Health Counseling.

Mindfulness to Promote Wellness and Coping Among Immigrant Children and Adolescents

In many instances, immigrant parents bring their children to the United States at an age when decision-making is limited. Children acculturate to their new society through the socialization process. However, language barriers and cultural factors limit their socialization and academic well-being. The change in cultures, language, and environment; economic hardships; and lack of support and resources cause immigrant children to experience mental health challenges. These can include depression and anxiety, where they may feel isolated and worry about their lives in the United States. The most common mental health issues experienced by immigrants include depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance abuse. Immigrant children may also experience discrimination and marginalization from educational policies and work communities.

Mindfulness with children leads to enhanced cognitive and social skills along with increased emotional regulation and executive functioning. Mindfulness involves focusing on present thoughts, feelings, and actions to heighten awareness and consciousness while integrating the mind, body, and spirit for overall well-being. Practiced alone or during activities, mindfulness aids in managing stress and anxiety. Regular mindfulness practice fosters self-awareness, helping individuals process thoughts and emotions as they arise.

After this presentation, participants will be able to:

• Review children’s developmental needs and understand the mental health challenges faced by immigrant children living in the United States.
• Learn about the concept of mindfulness and identify some examples.
• Apply mindfulness practices in working with immigrant children facing mental health challenges.

Presenter

Shama Panjwani, PhD, NCC, BC-TMH, CCMHC, ACS, LPC

Dr. Shama Panjwani has a private practice, SoHolisticEnergy Counseling & Consultation, where she provides clinical services to clients and supervisees. She also offers consulting services to businesses and organizations on DEI and wellness. She is currently a faculty member in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Department at Keiser University.

Dr. Shama holds a PhD in counselor education and supervision from Mercer University, specializing in cross-cultural psychology and organizational leadership. She is a National Certified Counselor, a Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor, a Licensed Professional Counselor, and an Approved Clinical Supervisor.

Her research presentations and publications focus on various topics, including reducing mental health stigma, immigration, acculturation, trauma, social justice, and advocacy, fostering cultural humility and sensitivity in counseling and supervision, multiculturalism and diversity, crisis counseling, integration of psychedelics in treatment, and approaches aimed at increasing cross-cultural awareness and leadership skills within academia and institutions. She also emphasizes mindfulness meditation and holistic wellness integration in her work with underserved and marginalized populations. With over 8 years of experience in the mental health field, she has worked in crisis, inpatient, emergency room, outpatient, substance abuse, case management, and private practice settings. Dr. Shama actively conducts workshops and presentations to raise awareness about mental health–related topics.