In order to provide effective services to culturally diverse individuals, families and communities, psychologists must incorporate culturally competent practices into clinical work. Several factors have contributed significantly to addressing culture – including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, class, spirituality, immigration status, different abilities, geographic location and more – in public mental health systems and services.

Cultural competence and responsiveness means not only understanding others, but also understanding ourselves and the communities around us. Requisite cultural knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors of psychologists essential for core engagement, assessment, and maintaining an effective working relationship will be covered in this module. Cultural formulation in diagnoses provides a framework for including culture and diversity in the provision of quality recovery/resiliency model-based services. Factors such as historical disparities of different cultural communities accessing community mental health services will be discussed.

The unique, groundbreaking development of cultural competency commitments throughout California during the past several decades, including the current impact of the MHSA-WET program will be covered. Essential reference materials specific to California’s statewide system underscoring service accountability at all levels will be outlined. Historical issues as well as program, research and systemic challenges and opportunities for future psychologists will also be examined.

Continuing Education (CE) Credits:

These online training modules were developed by CAPIC under a contract with the California Department of Mental Health (DMH) funded by the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). As such, these online modules are available to the public free of charge.

However, besides their use as general training resources, these online modules are also approved for Continuing Education (CE) credits for California-licensed Mental Health Clinicians. This online module is approved for 2.0 hours of CE credits. Again, only CA-licensed Mental Health Clinicians are eligible for these CE credits.

CAPIC is authorized to charge $15 per module solely for the administration of CE credits, which is being done in partnership with Alliant International University. If you are not seeking CE credits, there is no CE administration fee and no cost for using these online training modules.

Participants seeking CE credits must complete all aspects of this module including passing the exam at the end of the module. At the start of the exam, you will be asked for your California license number (if you are seeking CE credits), as well as basic contact information, in order to process your CE credits. Once you have successfully completed all aspects of the module, you will be contacted regarding your CE credits, including payment of the $15 administrative fee and issuance of your CE completion certificate.

Regardless whether you are seeking CE credits, we hope the knowledge gained here will serve you well in your professional endeavors.