Anti-Racist Psychotherapy: Addressing Race and Racism in Therapy

David Archer, MSW, MFT — EMDR therapist, EMDRIA-approved trainer, and author of "Anti-Racist Psychotherapy" breaks down how EMDR therapy can be used to treat racial trauma and complex trauma in clinical practice.In this episode of the Self Careapist Therapist Podcast, Lorain Moorehead, LCSW, PMH-C, sits down with David to explore anti-racist psychotherapy as a science-based framework that integrates EMDR therapy, trauma-informed therapy, and an understanding of how systemic racism creates lasting neurobiological harm. David shares his Rhythm and Processing (RAP) approach,  a somatic, rhythm-based method rooted in EMDR principles and explains how therapists can apply memory reconsolidation techniques to help clients heal from racial trauma, complex trauma, and the intersection of both.Whether you're an EMDR therapist, a trauma therapist, or a clinician working with diverse populations, this conversation offers practical clinical tools for addressing race and racism in the therapy room.⏱️ CHAPTERS0:00 — Introduction: Who is David Archer?02:30 — What Is Anti-Racist Psychotherapy?08:15 — The Overlap Between Racial Trauma and Complex Trauma15:42 — How Systemic Racism Creates Neurobiological Harm22:18 — EMDR Therapy and Racial Trauma: The Clinical Connection29:05 — Rhythm and Processing (RAP): A Somatic Approach to Healing36:50 — Memory Reconsolidation and Conflicting Client Beliefs44:12 — Working with Clients' Nervous Systems and Allostatic Load51:30 — Practical Clinical Applications for Therapists58:20 — Accessibility and Making Healing Available to All1:05:00 — David's Books and EMDR Training Programs1:08:00 — Final Reflections and Takeaways for Clinicians📌 TOPICS COVERED• Anti-racist psychotherapy as a clinical framework• EMDR therapy for racial trauma and complex PTSD• Rhythm and Processing (RAP) — David Archer's somatic approach• Racial trauma vs. complex trauma: overlaps and distinctions• Memory reconsolidation in trauma therapy• How allostatic load and nervous system dysregulation manifest as racial trauma• Conflicting beliefs and cognitive dissonance in trauma processing• Trauma-informed therapy across cultural and racial identities• Practical EMDR therapy techniques for diverse client populations• Accessibility in mental health care🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS📚 David Archer's book — "Anti-Racist Psychotherapy: Confronting Systemic Racism and Healing Racial Trauma"Available on Amazon (US & Canada) and BIPOC-owned bookstores:https://archertherapy.com/books/anti-racist-psychotherapy/🌐 David Archer's website (therapy services, consultation, blog):https://archertherapy.com/🎓 EMDR Training & RAP Approach (EMDRIA-approved, online):https://archertherapy.com/training/emdr-basic/📚 David's other books:• "Black Meditation" — https://archertherapy.com/black-meditation/• "Racial Trauma Recovery" — https://archertherapy.com/racial-trauma-recovery/• "Black Mountain" — https://archertherapy.com/black-mountain/• "Transforming Complex Trauma" — https://archertherapy.com/transforming-complex-trauma/📧 Contact David Archer:https://archertherapy.com/contact/📚 ABOUT  SELF CAREAPIST THERAPIST PODCASTHosted by Lorain Moorehead, LCSW, PMH-C, EMDR Certified Consultant, and Clinical Supervisor Self Careapist Therapist Podcast delivers conference-level clinical training between sessions. Each episode features in-depth clinician interviews and practical technique walkthroughs covering EMDR, CBT, DBT, RO-DBT, ACT, IFS, play therapy, and trauma-informed approaches.Whether you're a practicing therapist, social worker, clinical psychologist, or counselor, you'll find assessment strategies, case conceptualization frameworks, and evidence-based interventions you can apply in your very next session.🔔 Subscribe for weekly clinical training episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@selfcareapist💬 Join the conversation leave a comment with your clinical questions or reflectionsThe Self Careapist Therapist Podcast is a biweekly conversation with Lorain Moorehead, LCSW a therapist in private practice.  With guests ranging from expert psychologists, therapists, researchers and authors, each episode offers a deep dive and keeps listeners from intern to advanced supervisor  in mind while dropping gems and aha moments for everyone who loves to learn! If you love learning and want to keep track of some future learning opportunities, grab your personal curriculum here!If you liked this episode, feel free to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps us be a top mental health podcast and resource.  See you next week!The Self Careapist Therapist Podcast is a biweekly conversation with Lorain Moorehead, LCSW a therapist in private practice.  With guests ranging from expert psychologists, therapists, researchers and authors, each episode offers a deep dive and keeps listeners from intern to advanced supervisor  in mind while dropping gems and aha moments for everyone who loves to learn! If you love learning and want to keep track of some future learning opportunities, grab your personal curriculum here!If you liked this episode, feel free to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps us be a top mental health podcast and resource.  See you next week!