In this module we will explore the beginnings of life and how a baby is born into a
complex psychological world and a rich socio-cultural milieu. We will explore how the
transmission of culture and ‘racial’ meanings takes place both implicitly and explicitly.
We will discuss the importance of understanding cross-cultural meanings and racial
belonging and how it can enhance our clinical work, especially when working with
those who have experienced micro-aggressions and racism. The validation of these
experiences is vital in infant-parent psychotherapy and enhances trust in the
therapist’s capacity to support the parent/family. The module will include discussion
of the participants’ clinical work as well as reflection on their own racial/cultural
backgrounds. We will carefully explore how our own backgrounds and values might
filter into the clinical work through the therapeutic relationship and transference and
countertransference processes.