Identifying and Avoiding Microaggressions: Video Course

This seminar aims to increase awareness of the nature of microaggressions by identifying the range of microaggressions, discussing how these manifest and their potential impact. It will unpack how seemingly innocuous statements can be harmful as well as the ambiguity inherent in some microaggressions which can appear both complimentary and insulting. The focus is on recognising our own unconscious biases, how these can lead to microaggressions, how these might harm others and how to apologise appropriately. In becoming more aware of the nature and impact of microaggressions, participants will be better equipped to recognise when they are committing one or are on the receiving end of one and be more mindful of not othering by advocating a culture of inclusion.

Specifically, we will discuss:

• The potential impact of microaggressions – how these can frame cultural differences in ways that put the recipient’s non-conformity into sharp relief, often causing anxiety, unhelpful alienation, imposter syndrome or stereotype threat
• The role of unconscious biases that lead to microaggressions – what happens when hurt and insult is caused by not exercising vigilance in interacting with those whose lived experiences are different than our own
• Examples of seemingly innocuous and ambiguous statements which can be harmful
• How we can avoid committing microaggressions, and in doing so consciously how we can convey both respect and dignity to people we interact with
• How to unpack ambiguous microaggressions and how to distinguish this exercise from media speak about PC culture
• How to avoid being defensive and apologise appropriately if a microaggression has been committed
• How to avoid othering and avoid promoting a culture of exclusivity – recognizing that relatively minor slights can be part of a larger pattern of injustice

About the speaker

Christiane Sanderson BSc, MSc. is a senior lecturer in Psychology at the University of Roehampton, of London with 26 years of experience working with survivors of childhood sexual abuse and sexual violence. She has delivered consultancy, continuous professional development and professional training for parents, teachers, social workers, nurses, therapists, counsellors, solicitors, the NSPCC, the Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Committee, the Methodist Church, the Metropolitan Police Service, SOLACE, the Refugee Council, Birmingham City Council Youth Offending Team, and HMP Bronzefield.

She is the author of Counselling Skills for Working with Shame, Counselling Skills for Working with Trauma: Healing from Child Sexual Abuse, Sexual Violence and Domestic Abuse, Counselling Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse, 3rd edition, Counselling Survivors of Domestic Abuse, The Seduction of Children: Empowering Parents and Teachers to Protect Children from Child Sexual Abuse, and Introduction to Counselling Survivors of Interpersonal Trauma, allpublished by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. She has also written The Warrior Within: A One in Four Handbook to Aid Recovery from Sexual Violence; The Spirit Within: A One in Four Handbook to Aid Recovery from Religious Sexual Abuse Across All Faiths and Responding to Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse: A pocket guide for professionals, partners, families and friends for the charity One in Four for whom she is a trustee.

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