WMHCA: We Carry it All: Unpacking Systemic Trauma
Presented by
Danielle L. McDowellThis course explores the embodied impact of systemic oppression, particularly within Black, immigrant, and other marginalized communities.
Overview
2.5 CEs Recorded: Winter, 2025
This course explores the embodied impact of systemic oppression, particularly within Black, immigrant, and other marginalized communities. Participants will learn how trauma is carried in the body and expressed through generational patterns, and will engage in culturally grounded healing approaches that move beyond talk therapy. Integrating somatic therapy, expressive arts, and the cultural power of music, this session provides clinicians with practical tools to address trauma, restore embodied safety, and honor community-based ways of processing. Emphasis is placed on the intersection of mental health, human rights, and cultural restoration.
Objectives
Participants will be able to:
● Identify how systemic oppression impacts the body and nervous system in marginalized communities. ● Apply somatic, musical, and expressive techniques to support trauma healing beyond verbal processing. ● Integrate culturally grounded healing approaches into trauma-informed clinical practice.
About the Presenter
Danielle L. McDowell, LPC, is a Virginia and Florida licensed counselor, Virginia Board of Counseling Approved Supervisor, TEDx speaker, and award-winning author. She specializes in culturally responsive, identity-centered care, integrating somatic therapy, expressive arts, music, and human rights frameworks to serve marginalized communities. Danielle has facilitated professional trainings, racial healing circles, and trauma-informed workshops nationally, equipping providers with tools that bridge clinical skill, cultural restoration, and equity in mental health care.