Black Students Matter: Play Therapy Techniques to Support Black Students Experiencing Racial Trauma

Historically Black children have been denied a childhood due to slavery, racial disparities in school discipline, and the Preschool-to-Prison Pipeline. This book helps mental health professionals understand how racism, prejudice, and discrimination contribute to mental health and behavioral issues in Black students, leading to high rates of school discipline. It explores how bias shapes the way behaviors and moods of Black children are often misinterpreted and punished through unfair and subjective disciplinary methods. The book provides over 30 unique interventions for Black students of all ages to heal from racial trauma, using play therapy, music, art, sand, and other expressive therapies. It empowers mental health professionals to feel more competent and comfortable to support the unique needs of Black students and pass that knowledge on to the adults in the lives of Black children.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 22 February 2024
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Historically, Black children have been denied a carefree childhood, enduring the consequences of slavery in the 19th century and facing racial disparities in school discipline that often lead them into the juvenile justice system. While schools may be strict in their approach to Black children, Black caregivers often employ tough love to prepare them for the challenges they will encounter in the world. However, if everyone is tough on Black children, who is gentle with them? Who allows them to be children? This book aims to assist mental health professionals in understanding the multifaceted ways in which racism, prejudice, and discrimination contribute to mental health and behavioral issues among Black students, resulting in high rates of school discipline, commonly referred to as the Preschool-to-Prison Pipeline. It delves into how bias shapes the interpretation and punishment of Black children's behaviors and moods through unfair and subjective disciplinary methods. Mental health professionals are called upon to advocate for the mental health needs of Black students by employing play therapy to engage caregivers, teachers, and administrators in providing culturally responsive support and nurturing to strengthen their relationships with Black children. Through the use of music, art, sand, and other expressive therapies, the book offers over 30 unique interventions designed to heal Black students of all ages from racial trauma. These activities provide Black children with the opportunity to process the issues they encounter, such as colorism and hair discrimination, while also acquiring healthy skills to manage the trauma, anxiety, and depression often resulting from their daily exposure to racial stress. The ultimate goal of this book is to empower mental health professionals to feel more confident and comfortable in supporting the unique needs of Black students and impart this knowledge to the adults in the lives of Black children. By doing so, we can help Black children reclaim their rightful place as carefree individuals capable of thriving in a diverse and inclusive society.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197669266