Instructor
Mercedes is a LCSW-C (licensed certified social worker-clinics who currently works as The Coordinator for Hate & Bias Response and Prevention at a local university where she is focusing on providing education around issues of bias and equity. She is also an adjunct faculty at University of Maryland School of Social Work. She is a local Baltimorean with a background focused in treatment of identity based trauma with Black and Brown womxn in Baltimore city. She practices from the belief that we all have the power to harm and help each other and if we do not take responsibility to understand that power we will do more harm than good. Her practice is rooted in helping others understand and take responsibility for the role of self in dismantling White Supremacy.
As a therapist she uses a strengths-based approach to empower clients in creating the change they seek to live their most full, authentic lives. She believes strongly in the power of a therapeutic relationship to promote healing. Since completing her MSW in 2004, her focus has been on trauma recovery for survivors of domestic violence and sexual trauma. In her practice now, she’s interested in working with individuals and couples on body positivity, exploration of polyamory and ethical non-monogamy, challenges with sexual desires and gender identity. She has a long history of working with adolescents and teenagers, including teaching sexual health education, and she’s particularly invested in providing non-judgmental support to young people who are struggling with issues related to their body, gender and/or sexuality.
Target Audience
Social Workers, LCPCs, and Psychologists and all those interested in topic.
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives:
- Define language and terminology related to oppression, resistance, and combatting structural oppression and racism in clinical and community settings.
- Identify and describe some historical and present-day dynamics that have targeted and oppressed Black individuals and communities in Baltimore City, particularly housing and transportation policies that perpetuate inequities and block access to opportunity.
- Describe an example of resistance in the uprisings against police brutality – one consequence of this historical and present-day dynamics that have led to concentrated advantage, limited social capital, and over-policing in Black neighborhoods.
- Understand a framework that may be used to name and analyze oppression
SCHOLARSHIPS
SSW’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will be offering limited full and partial scholarships to community members interested in taking this course. If you would like to apply for a scholarship, please contact the The DEI Office . Please include HOO DEI Scholarship in the subject line.
** Please note that we understand payment is challenging for everyone at this time. However, these scholarships are limited and meant for those who are currently struggling financially.
