A renowned family clinician will be visiting the island next week to provide training to social service providers, as well as information to the public, on the “dynamics of racial trauma”.

Kenneth V Hardy is a professor of family therapy at Philadelphia’s Drexel University, as well as the director of the Eikenberg Institute for Relationships in New York City.

“The public will have the opportunity to spend an evening with Dr Hardy as he provides an in-depth comprehensive analysis of the dynamics of racial trauma and how the life experiences of many youth of colour are organised by it,” a release issued by event organiser Family Centre said.

“He will explore and outline hidden trauma wounds and how they limit the life experience and choices of many youth of colour.”

Dr Hardy “presents workshops nationally and internationally on family therapy for oppressed and racially traumatised populations”, according to the press release.

His work has led him to appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Show, 20/20, Dateline NBC, and PBS.

“We are very fortunate to be given this opportunity through supportive funding to bring Dr Hardy to the island,” Martha Dismont, executive director at Family Centre, said.

“His work and workshops on understanding unaddressed trauma, particularly in people of colour, should enlighten the public, and help to ‘ground’ the work on clinicians on the island.”

The public event takes place on Wednesday, February 22, at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity on Church Street in Hamilton. It runs from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

Family Centre, founded in 1990, is an accredited Bermuda charity providing counselling and other therapeutic services to children.

More information on the organisation can be found at www.tfc.bm.