From Bias to Bond: Using Polyvagal Theory to Cultivate an Effective Therapeutic Alliance With Racialized Clients

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Faculty

Lisa Ndejuru, PhD Related seminars and products

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Lisa Ndejuru, PhD is a Psychotherapist experienced in psycho-somatic approaches and specializes in the dynamics of interracial relationships in therapy. Lisa brings extensive experience in facilitating collective circles of care for the black community and integrating the notion of liberation into individual therapeutic practice. Born in Rwanda, she has served the Rwandan diaspora in North America for more than 20 years as an organizer, researcher and activist. Her extensive experimentation with storytelling, play and improvised theatre aims for individual and collective meaning-making and empowerment in the aftermath of large-scale political violence.

In 2023, she received the AMI Québec (Action on Mental Illness) Ella Amir Award for Innovations in Mental Health and was recognized by CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) as a Black Changemaker.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Lisa Ndejuru maintains a private practice and has employment relationships with Concordia University and McGill University. She is a principal investigator with SSHRC-RGDI and a principal investigator with Santé et Service Sociaux Québec. Dr. Ndejuru receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Lisa Ndejuru has no relevant non-financial relationships.

 

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Objectives

1. Explore the application of polyvagal theory in the context of racialized therapist-client dynamics.
2. Integrate learnings from collective care circles in the Black community to strengthen the therapeutic alliance.
3. Understand and apply the concept of liberation in an individual therapeutic setting with racialized clients.

Outline

• Overview of polyvagal theory and its importance in understanding physiological responses to stress and safety (Dana 2018)
• Application of theory to recognize and modulate unconscious biases in the therapeutic relationship (Dana 2018; Daly 2022; Ogden 2021)

• Case study: Sharing experiences and practices of collective circles of care that promote healing and resilience within the Black Community (https://www.blackhealingcentre.com/bwcc)
• Discussion of how to integrate these principles and practices into the individual therapeutic relationship to cultivate an alliance based on trust and authenticity (Martin, n.d.)
• The concept of liberation in individual therapy (Burton and Ordóñez 2025; Afuape 2012; Afaupe and Hughes 2015)

• Strategies to support clients of color on their journey of personal and collective liberation, with a focus on empowerment and validation of their experiences (Ivey 1995)

• Interactive question-and-answer session to deepen your understanding of the topics covered
• Encouragement to share personal reflections and challenges encountered in clinical practice, in connection with the training themes

Target Audience

• Licensed Clinical/Mental Health Counselors
• Marriage & Family Therapists
• Psychotherapists
• Psychologists
• Social Workers

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