The changing demographics of this country may serve to widen the existing gaps of mental health providers to provide multiculturally competent therapy. Multicultural competence includes the understanding of how culture influences the experiences of distress, dysfunction, strength and resilience. The purpose of this talk is to provide an evidence-based analysis of how one may develop multiculturally appropriate skills, knowledge and attitudes. A review of evidence-based analysis will be provided of how providers may unintentionally interfere with development of quality alliances with those different from them, and how this may contribute to barriers to effective multicultural competent services. Strategies to reduce bias and enhance effectiveness, and to engage in anti-racist and social justice activities will be discussed.
At the end of this workshops, participants will
- recognize APA Ethics Code standards relevant to diverse populations.
- be able to list two potential obstacles to providing competent services for members of diverse populations
- be able to identify two positive strategies based on multicultural and feminist ethics to increase competency for delivery of services to diverse groups.
- be able to identity two anti-racist, social justice activities in which to engage.