Considering Racial Trauma and Racial Socialization in TF-CBT for Black Youth

Black youth face unique challenges at the intersection of interpersonal harm and systemic racial oppression. Yet, widely used evidence-based treatments like Trauma Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment (TF-CBT) often overlook race-related stress in their assessments, case conceptualizations, and interventions.

Considering Racial Trauma and Racial Socialization in TF-CBT for Black Youth fills this gap by equipping clinicians with culturally responsive tools and strategies tailored to the needs of Black clients. Written by licensed clinical psychologist and trauma expert Dr. Isha Metzger, it is an essential guide for mental health professionals working with Black children, teens, and families impacted by interpersonal and racial trauma. Grounded in decades of research, clinical practice, and community engagement, Dr. Metzger presents a practical, powerful framework for integrating racial socialization into every phase of TF-CBT. The book offers case examples, sample scripts, clinical rationales, supervision prompts, and practical activities aligned with each component of TF-CBT, from psychoeducation and relaxation to trauma narrative and safety planning. The book also includes assessment tools, discussion guides, handouts, and quizzes to support learning and implementation.

Accessible, engaging, and deeply informed by both science and lived experience, this book is an easy-to-use, practical resource for mental health clinicians, community practitioners, and trainees in psychology, social work, and other mental health fields working to deliver culturally affirming, trauma-informed care to Black youth and their families.

Isha W. Metzger is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Georgia State University, Adjunct Graduate Faculty at the University of Georgia, and Visiting Research Faculty at Yale University. She is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and the Founder of Cultural Concepts, LLC. As Director of The EMPOWER Lab, Dr. Metzger leads nationally recognized research and clinical efforts focused on healing interpersonal and racial trauma. Her work integrates racial socialization and cultural strengths to improve outcomes for Black youth and families.

Preface

Part 1: BACKGROUND & FOUNDATIONS
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2. Risk Factors: Interpersonal and Racial Stress and Trauma in Childhood and Adolescence
Chapter 3. Protective Factors: Racial Socialization and Racial Identity
Chapter 4. Summarizing the Existing Evidence Base
Chapter 5. Assessment

Part 2: PRACTICE
Chapter 6. Psychoeducation and Parenting with Racial Socialization Integration
Chapter 7. Racial Socialization in Relaxation
Chapter 8. Racial Socialization in Affective Identification
Chapter 9. Racial Socialization in Cognitive Coping and Processing
Chapter 10. Racial Socialization in Trauma Narrative
Chapter 11. Racial Socialization in In-Vivo Exposure
Chapter 12. Conjoint Sessions
Chapter 13. Enhancing Safety
Chapter 14. Conclusion

Appendix: Resources
About the Author
Index