Racism as a Clinical Issue: Understanding the Mental Health Impact of Structural Inequality
3.0 CREDIT HOURS
- FULFILLS Maryland Anti-Oppressive Social Work 3 CE Requirement
- Provides 3.0 ASWB ACE Cultural Competence Credits to fulfill cultural diversity requirements for social workers in: Connecticut, Mississippi, Massachusetts, Arizona, Rhode Island, Texas, New Jersey, Illinois, Michigan, Maryland (see above), Missouri, and more
- Partially fulfills (3 of 4 Hours) DC Social Work Health Priorities Requirement
Course Overview:
Racism is not only a social justice issue; it is also a clinical issue with significant implications for mental health, psychological well-being, and access to effective behavioral health care. Experiences of interpersonal discrimination, institutional racism, and structural inequality can contribute to chronic stress, anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, hypervigilance, anger, mistrust of systems, and other forms of psychological distress. Understanding these experiences within their broader social and structural contexts is essential to comprehensive and ethical clinical practice.
This interactive workshop examines how racism and structural inequality can influence clinical presentation, assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, documentation, and the therapeutic relationship. Participants will explore racial stress and trauma, implicit bias, cultural humility, and the potential for clinicians and systems to pathologize understandable responses to discrimination and oppressive environments. Through clinical examples, discussion, and self-reflection, participants will develop practical strategies for integrating culturally responsive and anti-racist principles into clinical practice.
Presenter:
Dr. Justyna Rzewinski, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker, educator, researcher, and criminal justice reform advocate with extensive experience in forensic mental health, correctional settings, and community-based services. She earned her PhD in Social Welfare from Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work and currently teaches courses in forensic social work, psychology, psychopathology, and gender studies.
Dr. Rzewinski is the founder of Justice Journey Wellness, LLC, where she provides therapy, forensic assessments, reentry support, professional training, and advocacy for justice-impacted individuals and their families. Her research focuses on social work practice and voting rights among justice-impacted populations. Widely known as the “Rikers Island Whistleblower,” she has spoken publicly about harmful conditions within New York City’s jail system and remains deeply committed to closing Rikers Island, advancing human dignity, and creating more compassionate and equitable systems of care and justice.
Her advocacy has been recognized through honors including the NASW National Public Citizen of the Year Award and the NASW–New York State Champion of Justice Award. Across her clinical work, teaching, research, and public advocacy, Dr. Rzewinski is guided by the belief that every person deserves dignity, healing, opportunity, and a meaningful voice.
