(PS4-54) Framing Race and Responsibility: A Critical Discourse Analysis of ABCT’s Anti-Racism Statements Since 2020

Abstract Text: In response to heightened societal awareness of racial injustice, professional mental health organizations, including the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), have issued statements affirming commitments to anti-racism. This study applied Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to examine the language used in statements issued since 2020, focusing on how concepts of race, power, and institutional responsibility are framed. The analysis explored the extent to which these statements advocate for structural change, reinforce existing norms, or primarily serve symbolic purposes. By evaluating patterns in rhetoric, this research provides insight into how professional organizations engage with anti-racism in the field of behavioral and cognitive therapy. The specific questions guiding the study were (1) How have ABCT’s anti-racism statements constructed and framed concepts of race, power, and institutional responsibility? and (2) What do the statements reveal about the organization’s engagement with race and systemic change in behavioral and cognitive therapy?

Liberated cognitive behavioral therapy (Sawyer, 2023) provided the theoretical foundation for this study, while CDA was applied as the methodological approach (Fairclough, 2013). The dataset consisted of eight anti-racism statements issued by ABCT since 2020. These statements were obtained from ABCT’s official website to ensure accurate representation of its publicly communicated stance. To provide additional context, 13 supplementary materials including taskforce reports, invited convention talks, sponsored webinars, and clinical resources on anti-racism and racial trauma were reviewed to better understand ABCT’s broader commitments to racial justice. While supplementary materials were not directly analyzed, they informed the researchers’ understanding of ABCT's engagement with anti-racism.

Results of the CDA revealed that ABCT’s anti-racism statements consistently acknowledged the existence of racial disparities and expressed a commitment to equity and inclusion. Findings also indicated that ABCT’s statements referenced external sociopolitical movements, reflecting responsiveness to broader discourses on racial justice. However, variations in language suggest a need for greater specificity in terms of concrete actions, as some statements relied on generalized or passive constructions that lacked clear commitments to measurable change or direct acknowledgment of the role of White supremacy in perpetuating mental health disparities. Overall, while the organization demonstrates sincere engagement with anti-racism, continued refinement of its discourse can further solidify its role as a leader in advancing racial equity within the profession.

References
Fairclough, N. (2013). Critical discourse analysis and critical policy studies. Critical Policy Studies, 7(2), 177–197. https://doi.org/10.1080/19460171.2013.798239

Sawyer, B. (2023). Liberated cognitive behavioral therapy: Liberating CBT from the cognitive distortions of White Western European culture. The Behavior Therapist, 46(8), 320–327.