Course info

Instructor: Tatia Williams, Psy.D., LPCC-S, Psychologist

CE Credit Hours: 6 (ethics)

Program Description:

According to the World Health Organization, an overwhelming majority of people with mental and psychosocial disabilities are living in poverty, poor physical health, and are subject to human rights violations. Mental health issues cannot be considered in isolation from other areas of development, such as education, employment, emergency responses, and human rights capacity building. In this training, participants will learn about disparities and differences between economic classes but also a model for serving clients living in poverty. Presenter will create an active learning environment through the use of case presentations, group activities, the sharing of clinical/personal successes and challenges, and open group discussion.

Goals:

1. To introduce a framework for understanding poverty
2. To develop culturally-sensitive skills that will enable mental health providers to deliver proficient services to individuals living in poverty
3. Assist mental health service providers in developing alternative perspectives and empathy toward individuals living in poverty

Objectives:

▪Identify personal biases and expand self-awareness related to socioeconomic status
▪Explain how economic realities and mental models of poverty, middle, and wealth class affect patterns of living
▪Examine why and how poverty shapes brain development, leading to specific neurocognitive outcomes
▪Identify an overarching framework from providing ethical and effective services for individuals who experience low income or economic marginalization

Training Outline:

Part I: Introduction (8:45-10:15am; 15 min break around 10:15)

• Current Statistics
• Contextual Differences Related to Poverty
• Mental Model of poverty vs middle class

Part II: Underlying Factors (10:30am-1:30pm; 45 min break around 12)

• Social/Environmental Components 
• Neurobiological Correlates & Illness

• Barriers to treatment

Part III: Application & Treatment Framework (1:30-4pm; 15 min break around 2)

• Video Reflection & Discussion
• ICARE Model
• Case Study(ies)

Level:   Beginner/Intermediate