Empowered Healing: Unpacking Trauma from Within

Empowered Healing: Unpacking Trauma from Within examines the integration of culturally competent Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for African American women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse and have a comorbid diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD). This study highlights the impact of historical oppression faced by African American women, connecting childhood sexual abuse and mental health issues to systemic and generational traumas. Current literature reveals a higher prevalence of childhood sexual abuse among African American women compared to their white counterparts, leading to increased instances of PTSD and SUD. EMDR has been found to be effective in treating these disorders but is most beneficial when cultural considerations are applied to account for the unique experiences of clients. This study identifies the necessity for programs like Empowered Healing, which focuses on culturally informed approaches to mental health support, ensuring clients feel empowered and understood. The proposed study will evaluate the effectiveness of culturally-informed EMDR, Trauma-focused CBT, and supportive talk therapy using a mixed-methods design, incorporating quantitative measures of PTSD (as measured by PCL-5) and substance use (as measured by Brief Craving Scale) and qualitative insights from participant interviews. This research aims to provide a deeper understanding of best practices for treating African American female survivors of childhood sexual abuse, with implications for developing culturally competent therapeutic interventions.