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LCCNC 2025 Spring Conference: Minority Mental Health Symposium

The Double Masks We Wear: A Discussion of the “Shifting” Phenomenon Among Black Women and Other Women of Color

Carla Eugene, MA, LPCC-S (she/her)
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Information

Recorded

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Describe the foundation of shifting and how it contributes to the professional experience of women of color.

  • Identify the impact shifting has on the mental health and wellbeing of women of color.

  • Implement effective strategies to help manage the shifting phenomenon.

Educational Goal

To increase knowledge of the "shifting" phenomenon, as it relates to women of color, and strategies to help manage this phenomenon.

Description

“Shifting” is a fundamental skill Black women and other women of color have adopted to navigate spaces of racism, discrimination, sexism, and prejudice in professional settings. Shifting is defined as "the act of changing between various personas for the sake of survival, acceptance, and maybe even self-worth." This presentation will explore the impact shifting has on the mental health and wellbeing of women of color and will provide strategies to help women of color manage the shifting phenomenon.

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Carla Eugene, MA, LPCC-S (she/her)
Carla Eugene, M.A., LPCC-S holds a master’s degree in community counseling and serves as a University of Colorado Boulder employee assistance program therapist, with a multicultural focus. She recently moved to Colorado from Ohio where she worked at The Ohio State University Counseling and Consultation Service. Carla also has a private practice, Beyond the Surface Counseling, LLC, that offers counseling services to women of color professionals and college students. She has also provided counseling services to children and adolescents in K-12 schools, college students, and adults. Her professional interests include reducing mental health stigma among marginalized groups, women’s issues, empowerment, managing life transitions, overcoming imposter syndrome, anxiety, and grief. Carla's purpose is to assist individuals on a journey of deeper self-discovery and healing.