Description
Presented by Mela Berger And Beth Barol
May 2nd, 2024 @12-1pm ET
🎙️ Listen to Healthy Brain Healthy Body Podcast episode with Mela Berger
DESCRIPTION: This webinar addresses the critical need for increased mental health support for the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community and the importance of fostering a more diverse and inclusive workforce in the field of psychology. The program explores the unique challenges that arise in cross-cultural therapeutic relationships and emphasizes the necessity for therapists to examine and address their own biases to provide culturally sensitive care.
Participants will gain valuable insights into:
- The importance of expanding mental health services for BIPOC individuals
- Strategies for recruiting and supporting BIPOC therapists in the fielD
- Navigating the complexities of cross-cultural therapeutic relationship
- Identifying and addressing personal biases to enhance cultural competence
- Best practices for creating a more inclusive and equitable mental health landscape
By attending this webinar, mental health professionals will enhance their cultural competence, enabling them to provide more effective and ethical care to BIPOC clients while contributing to a more diverse and inclusive psychology practice.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
As a result of participating, the attendee will be able to:
- Identify implicit bias and explain its importance
- Describe two ways that an awareness of an accurate history of the BIPOC Community enhances ethical psychological practice.
- Analyze the ethical responsibility and challenges psychologists face in establishing trust and a sense of safety within the BIPOC Community.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
The presentation content respects and attends to cultural, individual and role differences, specifically related to BIPOC Communities within BIPOC populations as evidenced by the title, program description, learning objectives and references. The vast majority of professionals working with BIPOC clients/patients have not shared the experiences of racism and marginalization that have been endured by the clients they serve. It is incumbent upon these practitioners to understand the experiences and histories of those who they support in order to offer ethical practice. The information presented is for educational purposes, to guide the ethics of providing services to various populations, particularly underserved populations that have endured personal and generational histories of oppression and discrimination. The content, although supported by statistics and factual data, may be distressing The content of this presentation is directly related to acknowledging the shared experiences of racism and marginalization, as well as the specific histories and struggles Black and Indigenous communities have experienced.
PRESENTER’S BIOGRAPHY:
Mela Berger brings over 40 years of training and experience to her practice, specializing in The Rolf Method of Structural Integration, Wellness Coaching, Food/Nutrition, Emotional Balancing, and Movement. She holds the position of founder and director at The International Institute Of Healing & Cultural Arts. Her credentials are distinguished and include certification by the International Association of Trauma Professionals, board certification by the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, and she is a proud graduate of The Arizona Trauma Institute, International Professional School of Bodywork, International Academy of Neuromuscular Therapy, and the National Academy of Sports Medicine. In addition, her academic achievements are complemented by her education at the United States International University, San Diego Mesa College, and the University of San Diego. Further solidifying her expertise in her field, she serves on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Structural Integrators. Additionally, Mela Berger is also the Chair of 100% Humane International, a charity dedicated to providing low and no-cost therapy, registered in both the United States and Barbados.
Dr. Barol, PhD, LSW, BCB, NADD-CC, has dedicated the past 44 years to serving and supporting people with Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) who also have challenging behaviors and co-occurring mental health issues. She started out as a direct supports worker and live-in “houseparent” and has served a community-based project director, residential program director, facility director and clinician. She has been working with Biographical timelines for over 30 years and trained trainers in the process in Pennsylvania, where she was the Clinical Director of the Statewide Training and Technical Assistance initiative, and overseas through her consultation and training. Her areas of special interest include Positive Approaches with people with IDD and challenging behaviors, including co-occurring mental illness, the effects of trauma, and neurological differences. She works on behalf of these individuals through her clinical roles and her experience in Group Process, Conflict Resolution, Partnership Building, Leadership Development, System Change, and Management. She is trained in EMDR, Biofeedback, and Neurofeedback and is integrating these modalities in her current teaching and clinical work. She is a retired Associate Professor from Widener University’s Center for Social Work Education and a former Associate Clinical Director of the Clinical Services for Vulnerable Adults clinic. She is also the co-Director of the Capacity Building Institute for Pennsylvania. Dr. Barol consults regularly in the U.S. and internationally.
