California Cultures and the Social & Psychological Implications of Socioeconomic Status

Developed by Julia M. DiFilippo, Ph.D., Chapters from the Routledge book collection

Course content available in articles, audio, and chapters.

Fulfills requirement: California Culture and the Social and Psychological Implications of Socioeconomic Status, Diversity and Multicultural Counseling

Some of the content in this course is also included in individual courses on Diversity & Multicultural Counseling

California is the most ethnically and racially diverse state in the nation, and there is a great call to better meet the mental health needs of its population. To improve culturally responsive care, mental health professionals must (1) understand general strategies related to cultural competence and the importance of cultural humility, (2) appreciate the role of socioeconomic factors in the development of mental health conditions, and (3) identify and address racial and ethnic inequities in care.

This advanced beginner/intermediate course was developed to provide mental health professionals with an in-depth opportunity to improve their cultural competence and understand the specific demographic shifts, needs, health inequities, and resources for California’s increasingly diverse population. The course reviews the historical and cultural backgrounds and the common clinical issues that are specific to Black, Latin American, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Native American, Middle Eastern/North African, and multiracial people. Furthermore, recommendations are provided pertaining to best practices and integrating cultural considerations into treatment.

Course materials are drawn from a review of the scientific literature and SAMHSA recommendations for best practices for specific groups. Content also includes selected chapters from two books from the Routledge book collection, Multicultural Psychology, Fourth Edition, and Multicultural Counseling and Psychotherapy, Sixth Edition.

Educational Objectives

This course will teach the participant to

Explain the following terms – culture, acculturation, race, and ethnicity
Identify mental health inequities among California’s racial and ethnic groups
Describe policy recommendations to address the needs of California’s diverse population
Identify how gender roles and sexuality interact with ethnic and racial group status
Discuss the common presenting problems and beliefs about mental health and treatment for each of the major racial and ethnic groups
Describe the treatment approaches that are generally most helpful for each of the major racial and ethnic groups
Identify cultural factors to consider in determining a client’s best fit for individual, group, family, and/or mutual-help modalities
Explain counseling issues for clients of various ethnic and racial groups within the framework of lifespan development

Syllabus

Introduction to culturally responsive care
- Addressing the mental health needs of California’s diverse populations
Working with and counseling black Americans
- Terminology
- Overview of historical and cultural considerations
- Views towards mental health
- Counseling guidelines and suggestions
Working with and counseling Latin American clients
- Latinx Americans
- The experience of being a non-Latinx mental health professional who works with Latinx clients
- Counseling guidelines and suggestions
Working with and counseling Asian American clients
- Asian Americans
- Native Hawaiians
- Pacific Islanders
- Counseling Asian American clients
  - Importance of integrating traditional values
  - Working with and counseling men and boys
Working with and counseling Native American and Native Alaskan clients
- Historical and cultural considerations
- Understanding mental health needs
  - The role of historical trauma
  - Socioeconomic factors associated with mental health
- Working with Native American clients
  - Integrating traditional approaches into treatment
  - Role of traditional healers
  - Roles of family and community
Working with and counseling Middle Eastern and multiracial clients
- Emerging trends
- Factors influencing discrimination
- Role of ethnic identities
- Recommendations for counseling

CCSPI101_15N

April 26, 2026

Educational Objectives

This course will teach the participant to

Explain the following terms – culture, acculturation, race, and ethnicity
Identify mental health inequities among California’s racial and ethnic groups
Describe policy recommendations to address the needs of California’s diverse population
Identify how gender roles and sexuality interact with ethnic and racial group status
Discuss the common presenting problems and beliefs about mental health and treatment for each of the major racial and ethnic groups
Describe the treatment approaches that are generally most helpful for each of the major racial and ethnic groups
Identify cultural factors to consider in determining a client’s best fit for individual, group, family, and/or mutual-help modalities
Explain counseling issues for clients of various ethnic and racial groups within the framework of lifespan development

Syllabus

Introduction to culturally responsive care
- Addressing the mental health needs of California’s diverse populations
Working with and counseling black Americans
- Terminology
- Overview of historical and cultural considerations
- Views towards mental health
- Counseling guidelines and suggestions
Working with and counseling Latin American clients
- Latinx Americans
- The experience of being a non-Latinx mental health professional who works with Latinx clients
- Counseling guidelines and suggestions
Working with and counseling Asian American clients
- Asian Americans
- Native Hawaiians
- Pacific Islanders
- Counseling Asian American clients
  - Importance of integrating traditional values
  - Working with and counseling men and boys
Working with and counseling Native American and Native Alaskan clients
- Historical and cultural considerations
- Understanding mental health needs
  - The role of historical trauma
  - Socioeconomic factors associated with mental health
- Working with Native American clients
  - Integrating traditional approaches into treatment
  - Role of traditional healers
  - Roles of family and community
Working with and counseling Middle Eastern and multiracial clients
- Emerging trends
- Factors influencing discrimination
- Role of ethnic identities
- Recommendations for counseling