CRCP2018 - Invited Speakers

	Zuri Amuleru-Marshall, Grenada Bio Programmes Addressing Gender-based Violence in the Caribbean: Do They Work? Abstract: Responding to the urgent need to address gender-based violence in the Caribbean, a number of programmes have been developed. Rigorous evaluations have been conducted for two such programmes in Grenada – a programme for offenders, and a programme for victims. The evaluation results will stimulate discussion and interest in future research.

	Dharm Bhawuk, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA Bio Colonization of the Mind: Loss of Indigenous Language and Culture Abstract: The institutionalized imposition of the colonizer's language leads to defining native practices as problems. Indigenous wisdom is devalued in problem solving, thus destroying local creativity. The colonization of the mind is completed with loss of indigenous language and culture. Implications for indigenous and global psychology are discussed.

	Merry Bullock, Ahmisa International, USA Bio From Knowledge to Solutions: Getting a Seat at the Table Abstract: Although the relevance of psychological science for addressing important social issues has never been more visible, psychology as a discipline is not well represented in policy or decision making bodies. This presentation will discuss strategies for psychologists to increase impact, visibility and voice.

	Mariel Eunice Buque, Teachers College, Columbia University, USA Bio Therapy For Black Kids: Building Resilience Within Future Generations Abstract: With each generation, intergenerational wounds of racial trauma are handed down within Black communities. This panel segment will present ways to collectively and proactively break the chains of trauma that are incited by racism so that we may build healthy cohorts of Black people across the Diaspora.

	Dominique Charlot-Swilley, Children's National Health System, USA Bio *Addressing Parental Mental Health Needs in Pediatric Primary Care* (Roundtable with Hodgkinson) Abstract: One of the clearest findings that brain science has taught us over the last 30 years is that early brain development is directly influenced by babies’ interactions with their caregivers. This round table will discuss how to integrate parental behavioral health and self-care in a pediatric primary care setting.

	Marjory Clermont, UEH -FASCH, AHPsy, Haiti Bio La parentalité au sein de jeunes familles Caribéennes – Haïti Abstract: La famille contemporaine évolue, prend des formes variées et diverses. La famille caribéenne nombreuse, élargie, nucléaire s’adapte, est confrontée à de nouveaux enjeux et défis qui viennent influencer le style de parentalité en considérant le rôle des nounous. Il s’agira de faire ressortir ces éléments dans le cadre de cette présentation.

	Amanda Clinton, America Psychological Association, USA Bio Leadership in International Psychology Abstract: This presentation focuses on psychological science as it informs international relations and leadership. The importance of leadership by psychologists on the international stage is discussed. Research on the skills requisite to international leadership is presented and practical applications of the same are provided. Conclusions address the future of psychology and psychologists in leadership.

	Deanna Cooke, Loyola Marymount University Bio LA No Longer Confidential:Culture and Arts Professional Development Abstract: This presentation will discuss the “Arts Camp for Teachers”, a University/School collaboration to increase the confidence and abilities of elementary school teachers to address the cultural needs of African American and Latino students in Los Angeles, CA. The presentation will incorporate examples and outcomes of this transferable model.

	Rosie Phillips Davis, American Psychological Assn, USA Bio *Persisting In The Face Of Poverty* Abstract: “…something must be done now to eradicate poverty in Ayiti” say Gustemable and Nicolas (2081). Poverty is detrimental to the health of individuals and nations. The presentation will focus on poverty and a description of the proposed American Psychological Association President-Elect’s initiative on poverty.

	Rene Domersant, Ministry of Public Health and Population, Haiti Bio Pont Incontournable Pour Une Prise En Charge Efficace En Haïti Precis: Les caractéristiques du milieu haïtien présentent des défis à une prise en charge efficace des troubles mentaux. L’auteur se propose, á partir d’un certain nombre d’observations, d’identifier les éléments d’interface indispensables à l’atteinte d’un tel objectif et de formuler des recommandations en vue d’arriver à de meilleurs résultats The essential bridge for effective care in the Haitian environment Abstract: The characteristics of Haiti's environment present challenges to effective management of mental disorders. The author proposes, based on a certain number of observations, to identify the interface elements essential to the achievement of such an objective and to make recommendations with a view to achieving better results.

	Grace Fayombo, The University of the West Indies, Barbados Bio Developing Into Socially Active Being: Caribbean Adolescents’ Relationships And Concerns Abstract: Gaps exist in our understanding of the changes and dilemmas experienced by the adolescents during transition from the miniature social being into the socially acceptable being. This paper examines the psychosocial variables influencing the Caribbean adolescents’ social development and their concerns; the psychological implications of the findings will be discussed.

	Anderson J. Franklin, Boston College, USA Bio Coalition Building For Collective Impact Upon Caribbean Health And Wellness Abstract: The Caribbean is a multicultural and multilingual region with considerable areas of diversity but common concerns for health and wellness of the population. This presentation promotes the importance of coalition building as a means for confronting the health and wellness disparities both in the region and within Caribbean countries.

	Abigail Gewirtz Bio Improving Resilience in Families following Disasters by Strengthening Parenting Abstract: Parents are their children's most important teachers, and effective parenting is associated with children's resilience in the wake of traumatic events. This presentation reviews a program of research focused on modifying and rigorously evaluating a theory-based parent training model for families affected by traumatic stressors including natural and manmade disasters.

	Cheryl Grills, Loyola Marymount University, USA Bio *Making the Invisible Visible: The Development of the Culture Cube* Abstract: The culture cube strategy 1) reveals the culturally-grounded theoretical framework in culturally defined mental health strategies, linking cultural beliefs, community needs, and intervention, 2) guides evaluations to be community-defined and culturally-centered, 3) invites communities to use their indigenous epistemological frameworks to establish evidence. Implications for Caribbean Psychology will be explored.

	Stacy Hodgkinson, Children's National Health System, USA **Addressing Parental Mental Health Needs in Pediatric Primary Care (Roundtable with Hodgkinson)** Abstract: One of the clearest findings that brain science has taught us over the last 30 years is that early brain development is directly influenced by babies’ interactions with their caregivers. This round table will discuss how to integrate parental behavioral health and self-care in a pediatric primary care setting.

	Gerard ("Jerry") Jacobs, University of North Dakota, USA Bio Responding To The Unique Psychological Support Needs Of Individual Communities Abstract: In international settings, organizations often try to use the same model for very different cultures. The Community-Based model of Psychological First Aid (CBPFA) adapts the model to the unique features of indidividual communities. This approach ensures cultural appropriateness, as well as an increased sense of ownership by the target communities.

	Natacha Janac, Albizu University, USA (with Maxie Moreman) Bio Planning and Facilitating Intergroup Dialogue with International and Multilingual Groups Abstract: This paper will describe an international and multilingual intergroup dialogue that took place during the student workshop at the 2016 Caribbean Regional Conference of Psychology (CRCP) in Port Au Prince, Haiti. This is described within the context of Zuniga and Nagda's (2001) stages of intergroup dialogue and includes lessons learned.

	Mia Amour Jules, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, BB Bio Susceptibility to online peer influence model: Applications for health-risk prevention Abstract: The Susceptibility to Online Peer Influence Model outlines how youth developmental needs and online environments interact to contribute to self-destructive behaviours. Theoretical principles of the model are discussed to support the argument for the utilization of social media platforms for the development of health-risk prevention strategies for Caribbean youth.

	Gina Lafortune , Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada Bio *Haitian Students who Immigrated to Quebec After the Earthquake* Abstract: More than 10,000 Haitian immigrants settled in Quebec two years after the earthquake that occurred in Haiti in 2010. Many of these immigrants have entered elementary and secondary school. We discuss some of the challenges that these students encounter years later, related to both the acculturation process and post-traumatic stress.

	Jeanne LeBlanc, Private Practice, Canada Bio Healing During Chaos: A Behavioral Health Approach to Disaster Medicine Abstract: Potential situational challenges faced by mental health professionals working alongside medical providers during disaster will be reviewed. Topics include common psychological responses seen in a disaster medical care setting, detailing a practical model of holistic disaster medical care, increasing awareness of signs of provider burnout/compassion fatigue, and basic approaches to self-care.

	Pam Maras, University of Greenwich/International Union of Psychological Science, UK Bio The Vision And Mission of IUPSyS In Supporting Regional Colleagues Abstract: Psychology is relevant to social, political and environmental situations across the world. In this paper I will discuss the International Union for Psychological Science’s commitment to support our members through regional cooperation and activity as the global body for psychology.

	Jacqueline Mattis, University of Michigan, USA Bio Toward a Critical Positive Psychology of the Caribbean Abstract: Much of the work in positive psychology has been acontextual and grounded in the lived experience of a narrow and distinctly privileged swath of the human population. I explore a theoretical frame that serves as a launchpoint for a culturally, contextually grounded study of positive and prosocial outcomes among Caribbeans.

	Maxie Moreman, University of Miami, USA (with Natacha Janac) Bio Planning and Facilitating Intergroup Dialogue with International and Multilingual Groups Abstract: This paper will describe an international and multilingual intergroup dialogue that took place during the student workshop at the 2016 Caribbean Regional Conference of Psychology (CRCP) in Port Au Prince, Haiti. This is described within the context of Zuniga and Nagda's (2001) stages of intergroup dialogue and includes lessons learned.

	Kai A. D. Morgan, Jamaican Psychological Society, Jamaica Bio Expanding Caribbean Psychology Beyond Pathology Abstract: This presentation focuses on how Caribbean psychologists can diversify services within critical areas in psychology such as: training, education, practice, consultation and research. The historical importance of this diversification, the necessary internal and external mental shifts and collaboration with other mental health professionals from a regional perspective will be discussed.

	Antonio Enrique Puente, American Psychological Association, USA Bio Advocating for Psychology: New Paradigms Abstract: Psychology is a science and a profession which requires advocacy as central its success. This presentation will address a new advocacy model that the American Psychological Association is developing. The following will be considered: development and explanation of the model, financial sustainability, and priority setting.

	Craig Anthony Rodriguez-Seijas, Stony Brook University, Alpert Medical School, USA Bio Clinical Considerations in Treating Sexual Minority Individuals’ Psychosexual Health Abstract: This talk describes the ways in which sociocultural stressors undermine sexual minority psychosocial health, with specific reference to the sociocultural context of the Caribbean. Brief description of the major principles underlying one transdiagnostic intervention aimed at treating sexual minority men's co-occurring mood, anxiety, behavioral, and sexual health dysfunction is provided.

	Daryl Rowe, Association of Black Psychologists, USA Bio *African-Centered Psychology: Restoring Human Agency to the Caribbean Community* Abstract: The dehumanization of Black/African people, in Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean is tied to the distortion and denial of African peoples’ humanity. The goal of the presentation is to discuss the effects of Trans-Atlantic trafficking and captivity on the agency, resilience and psychology of persons of African ancestry.

	Kerstin Söderström, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Norway Bio Imported, Adapted, or Home grown? Psychology in Different Sociocultural Contexts Abstract: Based on Cuban health psychology, efforts to develop a Palestinian community psychology, Vietnam´s quest for a culturally appropriate clinical psychology, and features of Norwegian psychology, I share reflections on how psychology as a scientific dicipline and profession can contribute, grow and fit with the local culture, belief-systems and geopolitical history.

	Otilia St.Charles, Boston University School of Public Health, UNAIDS, USA/JAMAICA Bio Programs/Policies to address STI in young men in Guyana Abstract: A socio-ecological model facilitated identification of determinants of high risk sexual behaviors and SRH rights needs for young men aged 15-18. The government of Guyana received the resulting program and policy recommendations. This presentation focuses on salient themes, including mental health, emerging from data and implications for the SDG agenda.

	Marcia Sutherland, University at Albany, USA Bio Enhancing the psychological well-being of people of African descent Abstract: Among the issues to be highlighted include African indigenous/traditional religions, cognitive appraisal, neurological and physiological factors, ethnic/racial identity, loving-kindness, mindfulness, psychological dynamics (emotion-focused dynamics, self-confrontation, socio-cultural dynamics). This presentation highlights essential variables to enhance the well-being of people of African descent.

	Arthur Whaley, Independent Consultant, USA Bio *Diagnosis and Treatment of Psychotic Disorders: Separating Culture from Psychopathology* Abstract: The Caribbean region consists of countries with multicultural societies. Mental health professionals must be able to distinguish between cultural expressions and psychopathology in treating clients or patients from diverse backgrounds. Specific lessons from the African American experience will be used to illustrate culturally appropriate approaches to psychotic illnesses.

Invited Speakers - Titles and Bios