Dr. Phil Sarpong
Philip Sarpong is a clinical psychologist and devoted member of the Chicago Church of Christ, where he and his wife, Taylor, serve in the Young Professionals Ministry and their local house church. A disciple for over 13 years, Philip integrates faith and mental health to support healing in individuals and communities.
He holds a BA in Neuroscience from Indiana University, an MS in Health Sciences from Boston University, and both an MA and a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College. His clinical specialties include addiction and substance use, PTSD, chronic pain, sleep difficulties, and weight management.
Philip’s dissertation, “The Religious/Spiritual Correlates and Consequences of Racism: A Longitudinal Study of Black Americans,” reflects his passion for exploring how racism impacts spiritual and emotional well-being. He equips churches, clinicians, and leaders to respond wisely and compassionately to racial trauma in Christ-centered ways.
Carrying the Burden of Racial Trauma: Faith, Healing, and the Role of the Church
Mental health challenges caused by racial trauma impact not only individuals but also entire families, congregations, and communities. As followers of Christ, we are called to bear one another’s burdens—yet many of us feel unprepared to support those hurting from the weight of racism, historical oppression, and cultural wounds. This session provides a compassionate, Scripture-informed, and evidence-based research framework for understanding racial trauma and its impact on the emotional and spiritual well-being of the church.
Together, we will explore:
--What racial trauma is and how it uniquely affects people in multi-racial communities
--How the impacts of racism extend beyond individuals to harm families, churches, and faith-based institutions
--Ways in which spiritual practices, communal worship, and culturally rooted faith traditions have supported healing and resilience, drawing on research and evidence-based materials
--What has worked in churches historically—and what has been harmful or insufficient
Practical and Christ-centered tools for responding to racial trauma across multiple levels:
--For clinicians: culturally sensitive, faith-integrated strategies
--For clergy/pastors: trauma-informed preaching, pastoral care, and discipleship
--For churches as institutions: creating healing-centered spaces that foster belonging and justice
Whether you're a mental health professional, pastor, ministry leader, or caring church member, this session will deepen your understanding of how racial trauma intersects with faith—and how we can grow in wise, Christlike care for those carrying this burden.