Professional Trainings
Cultural Responsiveness in Crisis Situations
The role of cultural values and beliefs are key components in our expressions of well-being and distress. In this training, we review foundations of culturally responsive communication, discuss the role of culture in crisis situations, and learn culturally appropriate responses in crisis situations. Historical and current contexts of oppression for marginalized communities will also be included. This training is designed for mental health and social service providers BUT is open to anyone interested!
Chicana/o/x Affirmative Therapy Training - Levels 1 & 2
Chicana/o/x Affirmative Therapy is an approach which, in its foundations, principles, and methods, actively centers and privileges Chicana/o/x culture in the therapeutic process. It affirms that both ancestrally and contemporarily the healing foundations of Chicana/o/x culture and lifeways.
Chicanx Affirmative Therapy works to center the culture & values of the Chicanx community and to privilege these in constructing the therapeutic approach with clients.
It is an approach that assumes centralizing culture and a positive perception of one’s own culture background can and should be facilitated in psychotherapy with Chicana/o/x and Latina/o/x clients.
It assumes that connecting & re-connecting to current & ancestral values/practices can promote a culturally relevant sense of well-being.
Its methods explicitly focuses on and brings forth the cultural strengths of the Chicana/o/x community
Social Justice Minded Practice & Frameworks
Social justice components are integral to the concepts of wellness and mental health. Holistic wellness for marginalized populations must include being responsive to negative and oppressive social factors. We see this especially this past few years with the racial unrest, #metoo movement, increase in hate crimes, and the social, economic, and health impacts of the COVID-19 virus. In this training we will discuss practical, meaningful ways to integrate a social justice oriented framework into mental health and clinical practice.
Approaching Culture Authentically in Clinical Practice
This training focuses on ways to recognize and respond to various aspects of culture that both the client and the mental health provider bring to the therapeutic relationship. Cultural influences are present in all clinical interactions. Learned societal biases also enters the room. We will explore clinically meaningful ways to broach culture and cultural identity with clients. This includes the intersectionality of identities. A key aspect of this will be to understand the ways that individualistic and collectivistic values manifest in clients’ behaviors and their understanding of mental health and wellness. Finally, the role of historical trauma and racial responsiveness will be discussed.
