Addressing Implicit Bias in the Mental Health Profession

Implicit biases may cause clients harm. This webinar explores the nature of implicit bias, its impact and strategies to minimize its impact. NBCC CE Hours: 2 (ACEP Number: 7197)

Webinar Description

Most mental health professionals reject overt forms of bias such as discrimination, harassment, or use of slurs. Yet, research suggests that while most counselors avoid overt oppression, many counselors and counselors-in-training demonstrate covert, implicit forms of bias even when they rate themselves as culturally competent. This is happens for two primary reasons. First, bias is fundamental to the way human beings process the world—it does not necessarily reflect intentional bigotry or prejudice. Second, we are all socialized into cultural ideologies and worldviews that lead to negative ways of thinking about groups of people that are outside of our awareness. These are our implicit biases.

While an individual's bias may be evident to an outsider, the person holding this bias may not be aware due to the nature of how the brain processes and categorizes information. This has the potential to cause clients harm, as counselors who operate out of implicit bias may unconsciously assume, dismiss, or be insensitive to how aspects of a client's identity influence their presenting concerns. In this webinar, you will learn about the nature of implicit bias, its impact, and strategies to minimize and reduce this impact in clinical settings. To this end, you will also engage in several experiential activities designed to help you uncover your own unconsciously held biases. During this process, you will learn how to:

  • Define implicit bias and explain the science behind it.

  • Assess your own implicit bias.

  • Reduce implicit bias in the therapeutic relationship.

  • Engage in regular assessment of personally held values, stereotypes, and worldviews leading to implicit bias.

NBCC CE Hours: 2 (ACEP Number: 7197)

Click here view the PPT for this presentation.

Presenters

  • Char Newton, PhD, LP

    Dr. Charmeka Newton is a fully licensed psychologist and owner of Legacy Mental Health Services, PLLC. Dr. Newton is also a member of the Michigan Board of Psychology, appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. She is a sought after psychology expert featured in prominent magazines and newscasts, recently featured on the June 2020 broadcast of West Michigan Woman, where she discussed how to have difficult conversations with your family about race. She is also co-author of the soon to be released book, Black Lives Are Beautiful: 50 Tools to Heal from Trauma and Promote Positive Racial Identity, published through Routledge, as well as co-author of the peer-reviewed article, “Culturally Adapted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a Model to Address Internalized Racism Among African American Clients,” published in the April 2022 issue of the Journal of Mental Health Counseling.

  • Janeé Steele, PhD, LPC

    Dr. Janeé Steele is a licensed professional counselor, counselor educator, and diplomate of the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies. Dr. Steele is also the owner and clinical director of Kalamazoo Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy, PLLC, where she provides therapy, supervision, and training in CBT. She is the author of the upcoming book, Racism and African American Mental Health: Using Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Empower Healing, and the co-author of the upcoming book, Black Lives Are Beautiful: 50 Tools to Heal from Trauma and Promote Positive Racial Identity, both published through Routledge. Her other scholarly activity includes peer-reviewed articles focused on CBT, social justice advocacy, and counselor training. Her favorite article, published in the International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling and Development, describes cognitive conceptualization and treatment planning using CBT and a proposed cognitive model of internalized racism.

Kalamazoo Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy, PLLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7197. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Kalamazoo Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy, PLLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.