Diversity & Cultural Competence for Mental Health Professionals

Developed by Tamika Damond, Ph.D., Alison Freeman, Ph.D., Content from The Taylor and Francis Collection

Course content available in articles.

Fulfills Requirement: Diversity for California and other states

While becoming culturally competent is the standard of care, it is not always clear the best way to enhance one’s competency. This beginner/intermediate level course presents various models and insights into how to best achieve this, along with concrete, pragmatic steps in working with certain populations.

The course is comprised of two sections with all content presented in both audio and text version. Section 1 describes a framework for multicultural competency along with a review of findings of social worker perspectives on how they developed their own competence, a process equally applicable to all mental health professionals.

Section 2 provides information on challenges faced by certain sub-populations including African American women, persons with disabilities, and LBGQTI+ persons, all populations mental health professionals frequently interact with. Specific guidance for how to conceptualize and interact therapeutically with such persons is provided by experts in their respective fields.

Educational Objectives

This course will teach the participant to

Identify the components of the integrative model of multicultural responsiveness
Explain how the strengths and vulnerabilities of the African American female client can guide assessment and treatment
Analyze the unique issues involved in treating clients with disabilities (e.g., assessing for discrimination and abuse, helping with empowerment, and avoiding common diagnostic errors)
Discuss the unmet mental health and addiction needs of members of the LGBTIQ+ communities, the barriers of access to treatment, specific interventions, and future directions in research

Syllabus

Section 1. A framework for multicultural competency

Integrative model of multicultural responsiveness

Intersectionality
Explanatory health models
Preference accommodation
Feedback informed care

Practice-based knowledge perspectives of cultural competence

Cultural competence as part of an open stance
Hazy yet practical view of cultural competence
Adjusting after making mistakes
Developing empathy
Fundamental changes to professional culture
Organizational reforms

Section 2: Diverse populations

Counseling African American women: Examining strengths and vulnerabilities

“The Strong Black Woman”
Barriers to treatment
Presentation in treatment
Assessment in light of historical and contextual factors
Therapeutic responses
Areas for further education

Unique issues in counseling people with disabilities

Discrimination and abuse
Clinicians’ attitudes and beliefs
Helping to empower clients
Cultural and identity considerations
Medical model perspective
Family impact
Clinical suggestions
Mobility disabilities
Vision impairment and blindness
Deafness and hearing loss
Intake considerations
Common diagnostic errors

Perspectives of Orientation

History of perspectives of LBGQTI+ population
Importance of clinician’s educating themselves
Clinical considerations

DIV301

February 6, 2023