Xenophobia, Race and the Clinical Encounter

Presenters: Dr. Anne Petrovich | Dr. Jane Middleton

Description: This presentation will highlight, what is xenophobia; what is race? Emergence of xenophobia, racism (and other “isms’) in the clinical encounter, and clinician self-awareness, transparency, and professionalism in the therapeutic relationship.

Learning Objectives:

This presentation will:

1. Heighten awareness of the presence of implicit bias and xenophobia as universally present in the clinical encounter in both social worker and client.
2. Facilitate clinician use of self in recognizing and addressing issues of race and xenophobia in psychotherapy.
3. Highlight the relationship between personal growth, psychological healing, and social activism in both social worker and client.

About the Presenters: 

Dr. Anne Petrovich is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Social Work Education at California State University, Fresno (Fresno State). She has a private psychotherapy practice where she works with adults, adolescents, families, couples and groups. Her practice is broadly focused with specialty in depression, anxiety disorder, relationship and family problems, trauma and abuse survivors, and dissociative disorders. She also has been a consultant for Saint Agnes Hospital Hospice Program and has done forensic evaluations. She developed the course on trauma and abuse offered as an elective for Fresno State Master of Social Work students. Dr. Petrovich has been a long time respected member of the California Society for Clinical Social Work.

Dr. Jane Middleton is a Professor, Chair Emeritus in the Department of Social Work Education at Fresno State. She served as Vice President of the National Association of Social Workers. She also served as Chair of the School of Social Administration at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Middleton was a consultant at Temple University’s Developmental Disabilities Center and conducted research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Her teaching content areas include research, policy, practice, human behavior and case management.

CEUs: 1.5 CEUs will be offered for LCSWs - members earn credits at no cost. Credits for non-members is $15 per meeting.

Relaxed parking for those in attendance.