Professional Learning Center

Cultural Competence: A Way of Connecting with Our Clients

Today, it has beome widely accepted that behavioral health services need to be culturally sensitive, therefore placing client's difficulties in context is crucial to an effective treatment.

We are offering two identical sessions, please select just one.

Both sessions will be held at the Coalition's offices located in lower Manhattan at 90 Broad St. 8th Fl. Click on the 'Contact Us' link to the left for directions.

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Sessions

Cultural Competence - Morning Session

May 4, 2015 | 9am - Noon Registration begins at 8:30am.

There is a tendency in our field to train mental health providers working with multicultural populations by giving them the "highlights" of the cultural and immigration experience of prevalent minority groups (e.g., Latino, West Indian, Chinese, etc.). Without more in-depth training on how to handle this information, these ethnographic descriptions often become the stereotypes through which workers see or describe their clients.
In these workshops we will present a multi-layer approach that places the individual and the family in its socio-cultural historical and economic context (such as culture of origin, neighborhood, school and church affiliations, etc.)

It is a "generalist" approach that can be applied with people from diverse background that is respectful of people and differences. Culture is viewed as a very important element influencing the individual and family's belief system and values, through which it organizes the behavior.

A humanistic, open stance of curiosity, respect and collaboration with our clients is crucial. It is from this collaborative spirit, that therapy is co-constructed and that culturally appropriate alternatives arise for our clients.

Participants will obtain tools for conducting assessments leading to more culturally sensitive and relevant treatment plans and practices.

This strength-focused and culturally sensitive approach will be illustrated with video-tapes case presentations, case consultations and discussion.

Active participation will be emphasized.

The workshops will be led by Ema Genijovich, who provides courses on organizational consultancy and family therapy. Currently and for the last three years she has been guest professor and supervisor of the Family Therapy Masters Course in Hong Kong University and has been invited to private family therapy institutes in Taiwan. She is the president of Genijovich Consulting Services, Inc., where she provides organizational consultancy services and training programs for private, government and public good organizations.

Cultural Competence - Afternoon Session

May 4, 2015 | 1:30-4:30pm Registration begins at 1pm.

This workshop is identical to Morning Session, just a different time. See above for details.

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**We reserve the right to limit the number of attendees per organization based on the
demand for the workshop/meeting.**