They Are Already Living in the Future: How Kindred Spirit Behavioral Health Uses Optimal Psychology to Address the Mental Health Crisis and Create Safer Communities, presented by Dr. Tania S. Lodge, Founder of Kindred Spirit Behavioral Health

Learn the impact of culturally specific, evidence-informed frameworks targeting oppression at the individual, community, institutional, and systemic levels. Hosted by The Center for Optimal Thought, Kindred Spirit Behavioral Health, the Alexandria People’s Assembly, and the Virginia State Chapter of The Association of Black Psychologists Inc.

On Friday, October 25, 2024, you have two opportunities in Alexandria, VA to hear Dr. Lodge provide an overview of KSBH services, philosophy, and its partnerships with community stakeholders. Participants will learn how optimal psychology is used to promote an effective and evidence-informed approach to healing and demonstrates a collective work and responsibility framework that targets  health disparities and outcomes, mass incarceration, school to prison pipeline. and overall health and wellness. KSBH is building the just, sacred, sustainable community we all deserve to live in. There will be a morning continuing education workshop and an evening

community talk hosted by The Center for Optimal Thought, Kindred Spirit Behavioral Health, the Alexandria People’s Assembly, and the Virginia State Chapter of The Association of Black Psychologists Inc. 

Kindred Spirit Behavioral Health is a community-based mental health agency accredited by the Joint Commission and certified by the State of Ohio to provide prevention, outreach, advocacy, and comprehensive culturally specific mental and behavioral health services. KSBH’s service delivery philosophy is rooted in African/Black psychology. Specifically Optimal Psychology (OCT), a theory and practice developed by Dr. Linda James Myers. Optimal psychology considers the impact and influence that various forms of oppression at the individual, institutional, and systemic levels have on mental health and wellness. In 2023, Dr. Tania Lodge resigned as clinical director for the Minority Behavioral Health Group, to begin KSBH. Today, KSBH has over 80 community members certified and employed as Qualified Behavioral Health Specialists at three Kindred Spirit Behavioral Health locations across the state. KSBH has partnerships with the local school districts, Court of Common Pleas, and other community agencies that are fostered to educate, support and provide training on the psychological impact that racism and racial trauma has on diagnosing, interventions, and treatment. 

Session Objectives:

• Participants will learn about Optimal Psychology and how to apply in community settings.
• Participants will gain knowledge and insight into developing culturally specific community collaborations.
• Participants will gain insight into the impact of culturally specific and evidence-informed frameworks targeting various forms of oppression at the individual, community, institutional, and systemic levels.

CE Objectives

• Participants will increase their knowledge of Optimal Psychology and its application in several settings.
• Participants will be able to identify optimal mindsets
• Participants will be able to identify suboptimal mindsets
• Participants will be able to contrast optimal versus suboptimal mindsets
• Participants will increase knowledge and insight into developing culturally specific community collaborations.
• Participants will increase their knowledge of the impact of culturally specific and evidence-informed frameworks targeting various forms of oppression at individuals
• Participants will increase their knowledge of the impact of culturally specific and evidence-informed frameworks targeting various forms of oppression at the community level
• Participants will increase their knowledge of the impact of culturally specific and evidence-informed frameworks targeting various forms of oppression at the institutional level
• Participants will increase their knowledge of the impact of culturally specific and evidence-informed frameworks targeting various forms of oppression at the systemic level
• Participants will learn how to apply an Optimal Conceptual Theory framework in community settings. 

This program is sponsored by The Virginia State Chapter of the Association of Black Psychologists Inc. VA-ABPsi is a psychological association recognized by the profession or providers approved by such an association. VA-ABPsi maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This site is wheelchair-accessible .and clearly identified. For accessibility / accommodations needs, please email educationandtraining@abpsi.org by 20 October 2024 or call the national office 301.449.3082.

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