--- title: Resources for Risking Connection Treaters Supporting the Healing of Black Children description: LaVerne Baker Hotep explores Dr. Isha Metzger's work on integrating racial socialization in trauma-informed care for Black youth, featuring tips for discussing racism and fostering healing conversations. image: https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/hubfs/The%20Talk.png --- [![Traumatic Stress Institute](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/tsi-logo-transparent-sm-3.png?width=1500&height=329&name=tsi-logo-transparent-sm-3.png "Traumatic Stress Institute")](https://traumaticstressinstitute.org/) - [About](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/about-2/) - [Vision - Mission - Values](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/about-2/mission/) - [Traumatic Stress Institute Staff](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/about-2/staff/) - [TSI Faculty Trainers](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/about-2/rc-faculty-trainers/) - [Sidran](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/sidran-redirect/) - [History of Traumatic Stress Institute](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/about-2/company-history/) - [Klingberg Family Centers](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/about-2/klingberg-family-centers/) - [Careers](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/careers/) - [Trauma-Informed Care](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/what-is-trauma-informed-care/) - [What Is Trauma Informed Care?](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/what-is-trauma-informed-care/) - [Trauma-Informed Care for Organizations](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/trauma-informed-care-for-organizations/) - Risking Connection - [RC 25th Anniversary](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/rc-25th-anniversary/) - [Risking Connection Change Model to Trauma-Informed Care – Standard](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/services/risking-connection-change-model/) - [IDD Organizations & Systems](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/services/risking-connection-change-model-idd/) - [Current Client Agencies of the Traumatic Stress Institute](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/services/whole-system-transformation-to-trauma-informed-care-tic/agencies-using-rc-as-training-model/) - [Risking Connection® (RC) Training](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/risking-connection-training/) - [Restorative Approach® (RA) Training](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/services/restorative-approach-training/) - [ARTIC Scale](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/the-artic-scale/) - [Training Events](https://traumaticstressinstitute.org/events/) - [Trainers' Corner](https://traumaticstressinstitute.org/trainers-corner/) - [Blog](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog) - [Books](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/books/) - [Helplines](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/hotline-list/) - [Contact](https://traumaticstressinstitute.org/contact/) ### Subscribe to updates ### Categories - [Whole-System Change (52)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/tag/whole-system-change) - [Measurement & Research (27)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/tag/measurement-research) - [Mindfulness (24)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/tag/mindfulness) - [IDD Organizations (11)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/tag/idd-organizations) - [Crisis Response (8)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/tag/crisis-response) - [Head Start (8)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/tag/head-start) - [Insider (1)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/tag/insider) See all This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ### Recent Posts [![Black man side embrace of boy. They are sitting together, connected and smiling](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/hubfs/The%20Talk.png)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/resources-for-risking-connection-treaters-supporting-the-healing-of-black-children) # [Resources for Risking Connection Treaters Supporting the Healing of Black Children](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/resources-for-risking-connection-treaters-supporting-the-healing-of-black-children) August 7, 2025 / by [LaVerne Baker Hotep](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/author/laverne-baker-hotep) TSI staff participated inDr. Isha Metzger’s insightful webinar entitled, ***Cultural Considerations for Integrating Racial Socialization in TF-CBT for Black Youth & Families.*** Dr. Metzger is a trailblazing Licensed Cultural Psychologist, thought leader, and advocate for culturallyresponsive mental health care. This webinar was of special interest because in 2024, TSI undertook a major revision of the Risking Connection training based on the belief that trauma training and trauma-informed care must address the trauma of racism. The training provided an in-depth exploration of racial socialization, which is the process through which parents, family members, and other significant adults transmit messages about race and racism to children. One example that holds for many generations is “The Talk,”a colloquial expression for a conversation Black parents in the U.S. feel compelled to have with their children and teenagers about the dangers they face due to racism or unjust treatment from authority figures, law enforcement or other parties, and how to de-escalate them. Dr. Metzger reviewed the well-documented negative effects of racial discrimination on Black Americans. She discussed one study that found that anti-Black racist beliefs emerge as early as age four. In particular, White children have been found to have more negative attitudes towards Black peers and a preference for White over Black children as playmates. Black children also experience racism from adults, including being disciplined more harshly in school from an early age. Many of the client agencies we work with at TSI serve as caregivers to Black youth who enter their doors. These children typically endured multiple traumas, including racial trauma. Some treaters may be uncomfortable talking about race, especially with young people. Fear of saying the wrong thing or causing further harm can stand in the way of healing conversations. Dr. Metzger offered many tips for communicating with children about racism. Here are just a few: ![Talking about Racism (1)](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Talking%20about%20Racism%20(1).png?width=467&height=467&name=Talking%20about%20Racism%20(1).png) -  There is no right or wrong way to do this. Be kind to yourself and acknowledge the emotions you and the youth may be feeling. - Address your own anxiety and stress in a healthy way. - Be honest and explain what racism is and how it is wrong. - Allow them to openly express emotions and tell them it is okay to feel these ways. Use verbal and nonverbal language to communicate your care and concern.                                                                                                                        Feel free to download this visual aid. Dr. Metzger delivered a plethora of resources to enhance culturally responsive care for Black youth and family healing. For those who are part of our network of Risking Connection (RC) agencies, register for the October 16th RC Webinar: [“And How Are the Children?: Wounds of Racial Trauma on Youth and Our Role as Treaters](https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/pNX6I-w5RhSJae6-MHXcRg) formore of those gems and a deeper look into the impacts of racism on youth. [Trainers Corner | Traumatic Stress Institute - Klingberg Family Centers](https://www.traumaticstressinstitute.org/trainers-corner/) Tags: [Whole-System Change](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/topic/whole-system-change) ![LaVerne Baker Hotep](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LaVerne%20Picture%20-%20crop-1.jpeg?width=100&height=100&name=LaVerne%20Picture%20-%20crop-1.jpeg) #### Written by [LaVerne Baker Hotep](https://blog.traumaticstressinstitute.com/blog/author/laverne-baker-hotep) LaVerne Baker Hotep is a Program Coordinator for the Traumatic Stress Institute of Klingberg Family Centers. With over 30 years in social service and a special interest in historical and intergenerational trauma, she has co-lead training for various client serving agencies around the country. With members of Mediators Beyond Borders International, LaVerne has co-facilitated trauma response training in Liberia and South Sudan. Previously, LaVerne served as a Family Development Specialist and Resource Navigator at the Kingsley Association in Pittsburgh, PA, serving Allegheny County’s East Liberty Family Center where she founded and continues to convene Me2 Sister Circle, an international trauma-informed self-care and enrichment group for women. As former director of community education for the Center for Victims in Pittsburgh, PA, she initiated and convened culturally significant conferences to educate about trauma and its impact in vulnerable communities. LaVerne also has a podcast entitled Black Girl Back Talk. Copyright 2026 | Traumatic Stress Institute