Course Outline

In Afro-Caribbean culture, ginger is a cherished, go-to remedy; trusted for healing the body, passed through generations with care. Similarly, community holds deep, restorative power, but Western mental health systems often treat it as secondary, irrelevant, or even a barrier to care. This training repositions community as core to the healing process. Through culturally grounded storytelling, reflective exercises, and clinical discussion, participants will explore how to shift from individualistic models of care toward relational, collective, and culturally responsive approaches. Participants will walk away with concrete tools to invite family, chosen kin, spiritual support, and community wisdom into their therapeutic work with Black and racialized clients.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will:

1. Understand how Western mental health systems have excluded community-based forms of care.
2. Understand the role of belonging, co-regulation, and communal support in trauma recovery.
3. Reflect on their assumptions about “healthy boundaries” and “independence” in their various caring practices.
4. Apply at least two culturally responsive strategies to include community in their work.

Trainer Bio

Breanna Chanelle Phillip is a registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist of Grenadian descent, who has been working in the social services field for a decade. Breanna has worked in various roles and settings, and is the Owner and Lead Therapist at Breanna Chanelle Therapeutic Services, a psychotherapy practice that prioritizes the mental and emotional wellness of Black individuals, families and communities. Along with her direct work with clients, Breanna also advocates for the mental and emotional wellness of Black communities as a trainer, facilitator and public speaker. Breanna has offered her speaking and facilitation to organizations such as: University of Toronto, Humber College, George Brown College, Canadian Association for Social Work Education, Quebec Counselling Association, and many more. Additionally, Breanna's advocacy work has been seen on platforms such as the Toronto Star, City News and TVO. Through her efforts in the field of Social Work, Breanna is dedicated to supporting individuals in owning, writing and re-writing their stories. She is determined to remind all that come in contact with her, that their stories matter and their voices deserve to be heard.