Karen A. Neri, a PhD candidate in the Couple and Family Therapy program at the New England campus, recently published an article titled “Racially Conscious Sociocultural Attuned Emotionally Focused Therapy with Inter-Ethnoracial Couples.” This article examines the marginalization of inter-ethnoracial relationships using critical race theory and intersectionality. It also offers a conceptual frame to address the relational effects of racism, racial trauma, and social power in therapy as part of strengthening attachment bonds between partners.
“I am incredibly grateful to Family Process Institute, Carmen Knudsen-Martin, PhD, who led our writing workshop, my fellow writers, professors, and mentors who supported my work,” said Neri, who was previously awarded the New Writers Fellowship by Family Process Institute.
Neri is an integrative relational therapist in private practice in Oregon who formerly practiced family law. She works primarily with BIPOC clients as a licensed marriage and family therapist and professional counselor. She is also an adjunct faculty member at Antioch, supervising master’s students as an AAMFT-approved supervisor candidate. In the service of promoting relational equity and justice, her research interests include addressing privilege, power, and oppression in relationships, working with inter-ethnic or cultural relationships in therapy, and cross-ethnic supervision.
