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Asian Americans: Culturally Responsive Services for Our Diverse and Complex Communities

This course is being held in special recognition of Asian American Heritage Month nationally acknowledged every May of each year. As such, this will be a dynamic, engaging and inspiring day of learning for all!

In this survey course attendees will learn briefly about some of the history, cultural influences, diversity and experiences of Asian Americans. Using this as core, foundational reference attendees will review the multiple issues and concepts related to the psychology of Asian individuals, families and communities. Cultural competence and responsiveness in working with Asian Americans means not only understanding others, but also understanding ourselves and the communities around us. Cultural competency, cultural responsiveness and cultural humility have become imperatives in clinical and service practices in working with Asian American individuals, families and groups. Core issues such as intra-Asian diversity, the role of family, immigrant versus refugee status, acculturation, acculturation, culture shock, generational influences, the “model minority” myth, racism and discrimination as they impact Asian identity will be discussed. Recommendations from nationally recognized mental health experts as well as evidence-based practices, practice based evidence and effective practices will be discussed.

Acquiring sensitivity, knowledge, and clinical skills in working with diverse and complex Asian American communities requires deep commitment to cultural competency. Many current core issues being addressed in the Asian American community will be presented. Core issues such as intra-Asian diversity, the role of family, immigrant versus refugee status, acculturation, acculturation, culture shock, generational influences, the “model minority” myth, racism and discrimination as they impact Asian identity will be discussed. Issues such as domestic violence, interracial marriage, biculturalism, substance abuse, child abuse, psychiatric diagnoses, violence against Asians, and the role of early child rearing practices and family dynamics, may be addressed. Interrelated issues with other ethnic communities and their histories will also be covered.

Several important issues such as shame and stigma of mental illness, attributions and conceptualization of illness, traditional Eastern versus Western views and methods of healing, individual versus systemic or familial interventions, effective components of psychotherapy, and transference and countertransference in the psychotherapeutic context will be discussed. Case vignettes illustrating these topics and successful treatment interventions as well as related research themes will be presented.

By the end of the workshop, attendees will be able to:

1) describe core reasons (at least three) for understanding diversity and complexity among Asian American communities;
2) identify reasons (at least 3) why Asian Americans underutilize certain services (such as mental health) or are underserved in certain treatment services;
3) list several service recommendations (at least 4) that are culturally responsive and moving towards “culturally competent” for certain Asian American clients, families and their communities including recommended practices;
4) articulate (and list at least 3) aspects of their own diversity which may impact processes working effectively with Asian Americans.

Trainer: Dr. Matthew Mock

Dr. Matthew Mock is a distinguished expert on the relevance of cultural competency, ethnicity and multiculturalism in psychotherapy with children and families. As a Professor, he teaches courses including Theory and Practice of Community Mental Health, Multi-Cultural Competence in Counseling and Community Practice, Clinical Skills A: Self as Clinician, and the Diversity Awareness Workshop.

Most recently, Dr. Mock was Director of the Center for Multicultural Development (CMD) with the California Institute for Mental Health (CiMH) in Sacramento. He also served as the Director for the Family, Youth and Children's Services for the City of Berkeley Mental Health and Ethnic Services Manager system-wide, while teaching as adjunct faculty for the MA in Counseling Psychology Program at JFK University for the past two decades.

Dr. Mock received his Ph.D. and M.A. from the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) and his B.A. from Brown University. He has served on many boards including the Asian American Psychological Association, the California Psychological Association for whom he was the Chair of the Public Interest Division and the American Family Therapy Academy and was an active member of the Cultural Competence Advisory Committee for State DMH that set Statewide standards for county programs. Dr. Mock often gives presentations locally and nationally to community groups, universities, at conferences, on television and radio, and has written on many subject areas.

As a third generation Chinese-American, Dr. Mock is highly committed to diversity training, consultation and community issues. In addition to teaching and public appearances, Dr. Mock continues a private practice as a psychotherapist and consultant in Berkeley, California.

Training Registration Policy

Registration closes a week prior to the training and we cannot accept late registrations. Thank you for your understanding.

Training Cancellation Policy

If we cancel training or special event as a result of low registration, for example, registrants will be notified by email or phone one week prior to the training date and receive a full refund. Where courses are cancelled for reasons beyond our control, then registrants will be given shorter notice and will receive a full refund. If a registrant cannot attend training and contacts the Training Institute within 72 hours of the training or special event to cancel, a full refund will be issued. If a registrant contacts the Training Institute outside of the 72 hour period, a refund will not be issued.

Accommodations

In accordance with California Civil Code Section 54.1 any disabled person who may require accommodations to participate in our trainings or special events, please contact the Training Institute at 510-273-4700, x4132 at least 3 days in advance.

Grievances

When a grievance arises pertaining to a Lincoln training, the complainant is expected to notify Minjon LeNoir, Director of Training, either by phone 510-273-4700, x4331, in writing, or in email minjonlenoir@lincolnfamilies.org, as soon as possible so that the nature of the concern may be addressed in a timely fashion in order to be resolved.

Continuing Education

This course meets the qualifications for three (3) CEUs for LPCCs, LCSWs and MFTs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and is provided by Lincoln under CAMFT's Continuing Education Provider Program (CEPA), #133478.

Questions

If you have questions or need additional information please contact Minjon LeNoir, Training Director, at minjonlenoir@lincolnfamlilies.org.

Earlier Event: May 12
CANS
Later Event: September 11
Mandated Reporting and Incident Reporting