Healing, Empowerment, and Resistance in the Face of Oppression

Dr. Jessica Lopresti, clinical psychologist, researcher, and assistant professor of psychology at Suffolk University, will speak about her research promoting mental health and wellness for People of Color, as well as her experience navigating academia and psychology research as an underrepresented, historically silenced psychologist.

Dr. Lopresti’s  research is focused on exploring the multi-level impact of racism on the mental health of people and communities of color. She is interested in 1. finding effective strategies, specifically traditional cognitive behavioral and mindfulness and acceptance-based strategies, that can be used to cope with the negative mental health consequences of racism; 2. more effectively understanding barriers to effective and quality mental health treatment for Black Americans with a focus on access and cultural responsiveness and humility; and 3. in exploring effective strategies for cultivating allies and advocates through an understanding of issues related to power, privilege, and systemic and institutional oppression.

Her publications include:

• Graham-LoPresti, J., Walker-Gautier, S., Sorenson, S. Hayes-Skelton, S. (2017). Culturally sensitive adaptations to evidence-based cognitive behavioral treatment for social anxiety disorder: A case paper. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice.
• Graham, J., West, L., Martinez, J., & Roemer, L. (2016). The mediating role of internalized racism in the relationship between racist experiences and anxiety symptoms in a Black American Sample. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 22, 369-376.
• Graham-LoPresti, J., Abdullah, T., Calloway, A., West, L. (2016). The link between experiences of racism and stress and anxiety for Black Americans: A mindfulness and acceptance-based coping approach. Anxiety.org.
• Graham, J., Calloway, A., & Roemer, L. (2015). The buffering effects of emotion regulation in the relationship between experiences of racism and anxiety in a Black American sample. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 39, 553-563.

Organized by the Clinical Psych DEI Committee and the Department of Psychology. Sponsored by the John Hyde Teaching Fellowship, Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and ‘68 Center for Career Exploration.

Open to Williams students, faculty, and staff

First Floor, New Davis Center