Tackling Mental Health in Architectural Practice
2022-WLSVS02
Included in subscription
1.50
LU
4.88
Course expires on: 06/13/2025
Included in subscription
Description
To achieve a state of positive mental and physical wellbeing, the architecture industry must evaluate its culture of work, which historically has demanded creative perfectionism, employs tough critical reviews, and requires long hours. In a 2021 study of the architecture industry by Monograph, 96.9% of the respondents indicated that they experience burnout. Working overtime, inefficient processes, inflexible work options, and lack of support are just some of the reasons outlined for causes of burnout. To add, women have added challenges outside of work that were only exacerbated by the pandemic and resulted in heightened levels of stress and exhaustion. Join us in a discussion with our panelists who will outline ways that employees can achieve greater rejuvenation and satisfaction with work, and how employers can implement more supportive systems.
Hosted by the AIA Women's Leadership Summit. Recorded live on June 15, 2022.
Course expires 6/13/2025
Learning Objectives
Describe how to achieve career satisfaction by prioritizing selfcare, mental health, and wellbeing.
Understand how marginalized people, especially BIPOC and women, are at higher risk for mental health challenges and how to support them in the workplace.
Evaluate work conditions in firm practice and how to advocate for better work life balance models.
Describe how to tackle burnout and its various dimensions, such as, exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced professional efficacy.
Dr. Akua K. Boateng is a sought after mental health and relationship expert. With over 14 years experience in clinical practice and education, she specializes in an integrative approach to treating anxiety, trauma, relationship issues and other emotional concerns. She is the founder & CEO of Boateng Psychotherapy & Consulting, where she partners with organizations in the integration of emotionally aware practices and initiatives. In the media, Dr. Akua has contributed to outlets such as CNN, The Washington Post, Huff Post, Black Enterprise, Refinery29, Philadelphia Inquirer, NBC News, Slate Magazine, Harper's Bazaar and others. Her genuine, empathic voice adds to the growing culture of mental health awareness.
Je'Nen (pronounced Je-NEEN) is the founder of Apostrophe Consulting. The company grew from her blended background in architecture and business and her expertise in helping award-winning firms navigate practice management challenges. After learning how to design custom solutions inside the studio and within the AIA, she launched out on her own to use those same skills with clients full-time. Je'Nen works with forward-thinking studios who seek to address opportunities for growth, in-studio challenges, and is focused on talent development for rising leaders. Je'Nen earned her MBA and BArch and has trained in architecture. She practiced in a traditional firm setting and has completed her NCARB hours. She has received several awards for her leadership in the profession, including the 2017 AIA Associates Award. Throughout her career, she's helped advance strategic conversations with firm owners and rising industry leaders. She has facilitated retreat planning and nationally recognized conferences, with expertise in leadership development. She co-created the AIA Leadership Institute and has contributed to dozens of professional development programs that support architects and emerging professionals. Her consulting work blends strategic planning, firm management, marketing, and team development.
Annelise Pitts, AIA, is a passionate designer, researcher and advocate for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in the built environment. Working as an architect with Sheply Bulfinch, she draws upon her experience in architecture and management consulting to develop creative, evidence-based solutions to challenges at the intersections of culture, strategy, and design. As Research Chair for Equity by Design, she has built a body of research on the issues of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in the culture of of architectural practice, leading the Equity in Architecture Research Project since 2013. She applied this research in her work with Cameron MacAllister Group, conducting J.E.D.I. assessments within firms and advising clients as they develop strategies to advance J.E.D.I. within their practices. Her work has been published widely, including recent papers on gender in architectural practice in the Plan Journal and Women [re]Build: Stories, Polemics, Futures (Applied Research and Design: 2019).