Description

Upon completion of this conference, participants will be able to:

1. Consider how the impact of trauma (such as PTSD, historical and systemic stressors) can affect attachment cycles and parenting experiences for Black mothers.
2. Analyze why common trauma-informed and attachment-based approaches may not fully reflect the lived experiences of Black women.
3. Explore the purpose and key ideas of the IMARA (Intersectional Maternal Attachment and Relational Adaptation) framework.
4. Reflect on practical ways educators, social workers, and organizations can better support Black mothers and families using trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices.

Presenter Bio

Ariel Tinker, LCSW, is a graduate of the College of Love and Charity, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Education. She holds a Master of Social Work, with a clinical focus, from The Florida State University and a Master of Education from Widener University, specializing in Human Sexuality Therapy. She is currently a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) candidate at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work.

Ariel currently serves as a school social worker with Duval County Public Schools, where her work centers on trauma-informed, equity-driven supports for children, families, and educational professionals. She brings a practitioner–scholar lens to her therapeutic practice, emphasizing relational safety, culturally responsive intervention, and system-level approaches to student and family well-being. She also provides professional development and training on trauma-informed practice, attachment-focused interventions, and youth mental health.

As a doctoral candidate, Ariel’s research explores the intersections of individual, relational, and historical trauma and their impact on attachment cycles and parenting practices among Black mothers. Her scholarship centers on how trauma-informed and relationally grounded systems can promote healing, resilience, and meaningful family engagement. Her doctoral capstone project examines relational and attachment-based frameworks that support secure attachment, caregiver resilience, and relational repair among Black mothers navigating complex trauma within educational and community contexts.

Ariel has been recognized for her leadership and commitment to trauma-responsive practice within educational systems. Her work is informed by Black feminist thought and community-rooted healing traditions, grounding both her scholarship and practice in approaches that honor lived experience while advancing relational accountability and collective healing.

Delivery Method: Live Interactive Training via Zoom Video Conferencing

Credit Hours: 1.0 (ACE)

Target Audience: This conference is intended for social workers and students.

Accreditation: University of Kentucky College of Social Work, Provider # 1377, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 9/29/25-9/29/28. Social workers participating in this conference will receive up to 15 general continuing education credits.

Claiming CE Credit: Instructions for claiming CE credit will be disseminated at the beginning of each session.

Questions: If you have any questions regarding CE credit or to report a grievance, please contact Christina Krantz at Christina.Krantz@uky.edu. For technical assistance, please contact lmshelp@uky.edu.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these presentations are those of the individual presenters and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the University of Kentucky or the College of Social Work. The inclusion of any topics, perspectives, or discussions is intended for academic engagement and does not constitute endorsement by the institution.