Reaching Out to Black Male Youth

Education, Transformation, Courage, Resistance. These are the words printed in bold and taped to the wall of Dr. Malcolm Woodland’s office in the Judiciary Courthouse on 4^th Street.

“Actually, I need a fifth one,” the doctor remarks, pointing to the words and making a mental note. “Resilience. Let’s put that up there.” As a black, male professional in the world of Juvenile Forensic Psychology, these are the cornerstones of what Dr. Woodland believes uphold a person’s character. “Sometimes,” he continues, “I talk to kids about some of the pillars they’ll need to be successful. Education, Transformation to become someone new from time to time. Courage to be who you are. Resistance to resist the foolishness out there…” And Resilience, of course, as one of the necessary survival traits particularly for young black males facing turbulence in today’s world.

Many such young men find their way to Dr. Woodland’s office for Psychological evaluation and treatment related to whatever crimes they’ve committed. As a Forensic Psychologist for the juvenile justice system here in DC, Dr. Woodland serves as more than just a doctor to his charges. He’s also a life-long mentor. The images of Harriet Tubman, a jovial Malcolm X, and the inspirational Frederick Douglass line the walls of his office opposite the four (soon to be five) pillars of success. Although he’s been known to work closely with judges, attorneys, and probation officers, he also leaves time open to volunteer his counseling and mentoring services, often for free. It was in a home for the children of HIV sufferers that he began perfecting his mentor/process group model for therapy.

After over a decade of practice perfecting the group, with publications in Urban Education, The Journal of Negro Education, The Journal of Black Psychology, and the Washington Post, Dr. Woodland is ready to bring his technique to the Psychological Group of Washington (PGW) and lend another helping hand to the many black, male teenagers in need.

With a collection of about 6-7 guys per group, Dr. Woodland uses pop culture and media to examine themes in the lives of youth of color. In a world where many of these guys may resist the very concept of therapy, this round-table often looks somewhat different from the traditional group therapy setting and involves equal parts of self-disclosure and mentorship to flourish. The over-arching idea is to create a space in which young men, usually African-American, can learn to think critically about their lives, their influences, and the marks they leave behind.

“We may do that through media,” Dr. Woodland explains, “We may do that through readings. We may do that through expressive stuff (like) having them write something… The hope is that it allows them (the boys) to think critically about things that pass through their lives that have serious influences on them.” And with the stereotypes associated with black American masculinity, there’s no doubt about the need for some added guidance in a society often full of very capable yet sometimes over-extended single mothers.

It’s far from an easy task marketing group therapy to young men, let alone getting them to sit down in a circle of their peers and self-disclose freely without the silent fear of judgment. “The very first resistance is ‘you’re a doctor and I don’t need therapy,’ ” Dr. Woodland explains. Once that barrier is passed, then come the questions of whether or not it’s okay to share and how to overcome the fear of what others might think.

After spending 10-15 years perfecting this group model, Dr. Woodland has seen some promising results from a renewed interest in learning and self-improvement to remarkable insight into identity. It’s an alternative way to engage young people who, for one, need the stimulation and guidance, who need to think about their lives critically, and who wouldn’t necessarily flourish in one-on-one treatment. Envisioned for those parents who may not know exactly what kind of assistance to give to a rapidly growing teenager, this group can provide a novel avenue for expressivity and growth, even from the first session.

“The real click is when they’re not only able to do that for an hour or hour and a half,” says Dr. Woodland, “But be able to think critically about who they are and the mark they’re leaving on people in the several other hours they’re not in group.” It’s nice to “catch” them and hold their interest in session but it’s much better to keep the work going after the fact. And that’s the plan for this new group being offered through PGW. It’s an added support for the journey through adolescence and having seen many others reach a period of real, personal enlightenment, Dr. Woodland and the PGW team are excited to open the way.