Prof. Gómez Plays Leading Role in 2025 ISSTD Conference, March 15-17

Dr. Jennifer M. Gómez, assistant professor at Boston University School of Social Work (BUSSW), plays a leading role at the 42nd Annual Conference of the International Society for the Study of Trauma & Dissociation (ISSTD), March 15-17, 2025, in Boston, Mass., co-sponsored by BUSSW.

Prof. Gómez, a member of the ISSTD board of directors, will co-instruct a pre-conference workshop, lead a paper presentation, and serve as luminary and speaker at a luncheon for students and emerging professionals where she will highlight BUSSW’s Trauma, Violence, & Social Justice Specialization.

The pre-conference workshop, “Trauma and Therapy for Black Women: Racism, Intersectionality, & Cultural Betrayal Trauma,” which Prof. Gómez will present alongside Dr. Robyn L. Gobin, explores how cultural context impacts women healing from trauma. Gómez will lay the foundation for understanding how structural racism and intersectional oppression impact Black women, and explain cultural betrayal trauma theory (CBTT) which she developed to serve as a scientific framework for examining the unique harm – cultural betrayal – of within-group violence in marginalization communities, particularly sexual abuse perpetrated by Black men against Black women.

CBTT is also central to Prof. Gómez’s paper presentation, “Cultural Betrayal Trauma & (Intra)Cultural Support on Dissociation for Black American Young Adults.” In the presentation, she will examine the roles of cultural betrayal trauma and (intra)cultural support on dissociation for Black American young adults, positing that (intra)cultural support can bring about posttraumatic growth and healing, while violations of (intra)cultural trust are associated with dissociation and internalized prejudice.

Prof. Gómez also provides behind-the-scenes support for the conference and organization. She is a member of ISSTD’s Annual Conference Committee, as well as its Research Special Interest Group, Scientific Committee, and Research & Education Fund Grant Review Committee. In her capacity as an ISSTD board member, she is co-chair of the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Accessibility Board Working Group and a member of the Finance Committee and Nominating Committee. She is also guest co-editor of an upcoming special issue of its Journal of Trauma & Dissociation on intersectional oppression, dissociation, and healing in diverse marginalized people.

BUSSW, an ISSTD organizational member, is a cosponsor of the 2025 conference, supporting its mission to advance clinical, scientific, and societal understanding of complex trauma and dissociation.

Learn more about Prof. Jennifer M. Gomez