Mental Health Treatment and the African American Community

Despite the disparity in mental health treatment for African Americans, relatively few clinicians receive training on how to address this reality in their work with African American clients.

This workshop will:

1. Examine and address the barriers many African Americans encounter when seeking mental health treatment.
2. Propose a picture of wellness for African Americans.
3. Interrogate the unchallenged cultural encapsulations within psychological theory, diagnoses, and techniques.

The role of race and culture in clinicians’ training will be examined. A vignette will be used to show the importance of clinicians having the knowledge base and cultural self-awareness to effectively redress longstanding disparities in mental health treatment.

Webinars are converted to video on-demand programs with closed captioning after the live air date.

• List the barriers African Americans encounter when seeking or sustaining mental health treatment.
• Name three important domains that are often present in the lives of African Americans that display good health and wellbeing.
• Discuss the efficacy and limits of a multicultural approach to treatment with African Americans.

Rick Williamson, PhD