For close to 40 years, the concept of cultural competency has been an important part of mental health and social service delivery (Danso, 2018). From academic coursework, to mandated employee trainings, to professional code of ethics standards, the idea that the cultural identity of an individual should be respected has been integrated into various aspects of clinician professional development. This training builds upon a foundational knowledge of cultural competency and encourages participants to instead utilize cultural humility, a dual process through which clinicians understand the complex identities and experiences of both clients and themselves, and how to use these identities as tools within the therapeutic process (Fisher-Borne et al., 2015).

Through the lens of critical race theory, this training will analyze the historical ways in which medical, behavioral health, and social service systems have impacted vulnerable client populations and how these systems continue to impact clients in potentially oppressive ways. With this knowledge, participants will be better equipped to assess the realities their clients face with compassion and insight, while understanding the experiences that have shaped their identity. Participants will also be able to identify potential power dynamics within the individual therapeutic process, as well as within the systems they serve and partner with. Using cultural humility as a framework, this training will describe how clinicians can leverage this historical insight to develop their self-awareness and professional skills as clinicians to improve client outcomes on a micro and macro level. Participants will review interpersonal strategies to foster stronger trust and engagement with clients, as well as skills for advocating for more responsive, trauma informed systems to improve client safety.