Our world is becoming increasingly diverse, and mental health professionals need the skills to effectively serve a culturally diverse clientele. This course equips mental health specialists with the knowledge and tools to navigate the complexities of cultural competence in counseling. Participants will be encouraged to critically examine their own cultural backgrounds and explore how that impacts their interactions with others. Multiculturalism and Cultural Diversity for Mental Health Specialists is designed to promote culturally competent mental health services, ultimately leading to improved client outcomes and a more equitable healthcare system.

Here are the topics covered in the course material:

• Define and differentiate between culture, cultural competence, individual cultural competence, and organizational cultural competence, race, ethnicity, racism, social diversity, enculturation, assimilation.
• Apply cultural awareness models (Counselors’ Cultural Competency Model (CCC), Cultural Humility, Transcultural Framework, and Social Justice models) to practice in child welfare settings.
• Understand the importance of cultural competence, including the challenges faced and misconceptions surrounding cultural understanding.
• Analyze the ethical considerations for culturally competent practice based on National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines.
• Explore the impact of enculturation, assimilation, race disproportionality, and structural/institutionalized racism on mental health service delivery.
• Analyze the influence of cultural context and factors on intervention strategies and communication styles, utilizing case studies relevant to social work and psychology.
• Identify and explore personal biases through the lens of the “Ladder of Inference.”
• Develop knowledge as the foundation of cultural competence, gaining strategies for working with families from diverse backgrounds.
• Implement effective “Bias Busting” techniques, addressing intolerance in others and providing constructive feedback on intolerant behavior.
• Establish behavioral expectations for culturally competent workers and identify the characteristics of culturally competent professional behavior.

Asynchronous, distance learning. Non-interactive. Text format with recorded reading of the material.

Here are some of the possible limitations that could be inherent to the material, given its comprehensive nature:

• It may not provide enough depth on specific cultural groups to be applicable to real-world counseling situations.
• It may not adequately address the complexities of power, privilege, and oppression that can influence counseling interactions.
• It may not provide sufficient guidance on how to develop culturally responsive counseling skills.

NAADAC Online CE Completion limits: There is a limit of 8 hours (8 CE) of credit for online courses within a 24-hour period.

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The course will be available in your account immediately after purchase. The Course Completion Certificate and Letter of Completion will be immediately available in your account upon successful completion of the course post-test (a score of 80% or higher) and completion of the course evaluation. You will have unlimited attempts to pass the post-test.

Do you have questions about this course? Do you require accessibility accommodations? Please visit our FAQ page or Contact Us and we'll be happy to help.

American Psychological Association (APA)

At Health, LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. At Health, LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)

At Health, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6949. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. At Health, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

NAADAC – The Association for Addiction Professionals

Athealth.com is approved as a continuing education provider by the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, the Association for Addiction Professionals. #148460.

Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)

At Health, LLC, Provider #1707, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 5/3/2023–5/3/2026.

Page last modified or reviewed by athealth.com on Apr 24, 2026.

Julie Shafer, PhD. CE Director, At Health.

Jill Miller, JD, graduated from the University of Washington School of Law. Prior to practicing law, she was an instructor and developer of educational programs for adults. She served as vice president in charge of operations and content development for At Health, Inc. for over 20 years.

Jill Michaels. CE Coordinator, At Health.

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