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This book is designed to provide an overview of multicultural therapy. There is a description of the history and development of ethnic minority psychology to provide a context for understanding the evolution of this important approach to psychotherapy.

The theory, goals and key concepts of multicultural psychotherapy are presented, including a description of the general principles that underlie activities related to the delivery of competent services to diverse populations. The three overarching factors of awareness, knowledge, and skills are expounded to promote multicultural competency.

The processes involved in the primary change mechanisms involved in multicultural therapy are described in Chapter 4. What are universal approaches to therapy versus culturally specific approaches relevant in each case? A case study is provided to illustrate some of the suggested strategies, while unique issues in the assessment process are addressed. Chapter 5 discloses evidence that multiculturalism has been integrated into the three foundational theoretical orientations of psychodynamic, humanistic, and cognitive behaviorism.

Ch 6 provides an overview of how education and training, licensing and continuing education have addressed multiculturalism and diversity in psychology. Ch 7 summarizes the major thrusts of the book and emphasizes the importance of social justice as part of the foundation of competent and ethical multicultural therapy.

Educational Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the clinician will be able to:

• Summarize the history and development of ethnic minority psychology to provide a context for understanding the evolution of this important approach to psychotherapy.
• Describe the general principles that underlie activities related to the delivery of competent services to diverse populations.
• Promote an understanding of the influence of the contextual and systemic factors on the client as well as on the psychotherapist.
• Explain the three overarching factors of awareness, knowledge, and skills as they relate to multicultural competency.
• Describe the processes involved in the primary change mechanisms involved in multicultural therapy.
• Identify strategies and techniques such as identification of strengths and weaknesses and cultural adaptations of various evidence-based practices.
• Evaluate multicultural therapy, including identification of points of congruence and areas of differences between multicultural therapy and other orientations.
• Incorporate an understanding of the importance and relevance of culture in their treatment approaches.
• Cultivate cultural humility as part of development as a multiculturally competent therapist.
• Describe the intersection of social justice and multiculturalism and explain how competent multicultural therapists include social justice work as part of an ethical practice.
• Explain how education and training, licensing, and continuing education have attended to and addressed multiculturalism and diversity in psychology.
• Identify issues for the future development of multicultural therapy.
• Address common obstacles, misconceptions, and questions that arise as practitioners begin learning about and implementing SFT.
• Use this introduction to core techniques of SFT to lay a foundation for further learning/training in this therapeutic approach for application with current and future clients.

Syllabus / Course Instructions

• This course is suitable for CE for beginning, intermediate and advanced level clinicians.
• The Course consists of reading the selected book, successfully completing an online posttest and filling out a course evaluation.
• The printed book or ebook is not included. It must be purchased separately. We have supplied a link to Amazon.com for your convenience.
• Purchasing your course will give you access to both a printable copy of the test and an online version of the test. Print the test to use as a companion as you read the book and answer the questions.
• You cannot exit the online test once you begin, so have your answers available.

Additional Resources On This Site for CE

• Maybe You Should Talk To Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed (This course is not available for CE for psychologists))
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• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: 25th Anniversary Edition
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• The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts
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• Boundaries: When to Say Yes and How to Say No
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• What Happened To You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing
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• ACT Made Simple (2nd Edition)
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• 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos
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• The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing from Trauma
  by Bessel van der Kolk, MD: 14 CE Credits

Bio: Melba J.T. Vasquez, PhD, ABPP

Melba J. T. Vasquez, PhD, is in independent practice in Austin, Texas. She has served as president of the American Psychological Association (APA) in 2011. She is the first Latina and Woman of Color to serve in that role. Her theme for the 2011 APA convention was social justice.

Dr. Vasquez also served a term on the APA Board of Directors. She is a former president of the Texas Psychological Association and of APA Divisions 35 (Society for the Psychology of Women) and 17 (Society of Counseling Psychology). She is a cofounder of APA Division 45 (Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity and Race), and of the National Multicultural Conference and Summit. She is a fellow of 11 divisions of the APA and holds the Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology. Dr. Vasquez has been honored with more than 50 awards for distinguished professional contributions, career service, leadership, advocacy and mentorship.

Bio: Josephine D. Johnson, Phd

Josephine D. Johnson, PhD, has a private practice in Farmington Hills, Michigan. She provides services to adolescents, adults, and families. She also clinical supervision to doctoral and master's level psychologists. She has been a long-time consultant to community mental health agencies, served many years as a specialist to residential treatment facilities, and has been a consultant to businesses, schools, churches, and to a university counseling and psychological services program.

Dr. Johnson is a trustee for the American Insurance Trust and has been an officer on the board of the Metro Detroit Association of Black Psychologists. She served as president of the Michigan Psychological Association and received its "Psychologist of the Year" award in 2009. She also received their Beth Clark Service Award in 2018 and served for 14 years as Michigan's Federal Advocacy Coordinator. She chaired the APA Task Force on the Implementation of the Multicultural Guidelines and was a member of the Task Force on Evidence Based Practice in Psychology.