Treating Racial Trauma: The Methodology of a Randomized Controlled Trial of the Healing Racial Trauma Protocol

Abstract

Cumulative experiences of racism lead to stress and trauma. Racial trauma is associated with compromised functioning across psychological, social, and physical health domains. This is further complicated by any comorbidity with other mental health conditions. Many clinicians are not trained in identifying, diagnosing, and treating racial trauma. Given the pervasive nature of racism, limited clinician knowledge and experiences, as well as the impact of this condition, there is an urgent need for novel, culturally safe, and effective treatment. The newly developed Healing Racial Trauma Protocol (HRTP) shows significant promise. We explore the methodological considerations for a randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of the HRTP for racialized individuals suffering from racial trauma and to a control condition of treatment as usual, in reducing the severity of racial trauma and depression symptoms, as well as improved functioning. Ethical, pragmatic, and methodological considerations in trial design, research population, and treatment protocol are explored.