•   APA Headquarters Penthouse in Washington, D.C.
•   Friday, January 10, 2024
•   8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET

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Sessions

Keynote Address

 

 

  Yolanda Lawson, M.D., FACOG, Recent Past President of the National Medical Association, Founder of MadeWell Obstetrics and Gynecology

Understanding Cultural Competency Moving Toward a Culturally Humble Approach in Mental Healthcare Delivery

  Neil Krishnan Aggarwal, M.D., PLLC, Psychiatrist and Social Scientist, Professor at Columbia University Department of Psychiatry, Member, Committee on Global Thought

  Puja Chadha, M.D., Clinical Professor, Clinical Educator, Director of Faculty Development, University of California, Davis Health Systems

  Pamela A. Hays, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, Author of: Creating Well-Being: Four Steps to a Happier, Healthier Life; Addressing Cultural Complexities in Counseling & Clinical Practice: An Intersectional Approach; Connecting Across Cultures: The Helper’s Toolkit, Co-editor of Culturally Responsive Cognitive Behavior Therapy

This session will provide attendees with a practical and insightful understanding of cultural competence in mental health care. The panelist will present an overview of foundational principles in cultural competency and offer guidance on how these principles can be effectively integrated into mental health service delivery. Emphasizing the application of cultural humility, the session will explore ways mental health professionals can maintain cultural reflexivity to enhance client-centered care and improve outcomes across diverse populations.

Navigating Cultural Intersectionality: A Lesson in Cultural Adaptability

  Javeed Sukhera M.D., Ph.D., FRCPC, Chair/Chief of Psychiatry, Institute of Living and Hartford Hospital, Physician, Educator, and Social Scientist

  Lillian Comas-Diaz. Ph.D., M.A., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

  Erlanger Turner, Ph.D., M.S., Licensed Psychologist, Associate Professor of Psychology, Director of Race and Cultural Experiences Research Lab, Pepperdine School of Education and Psychology, Author of: Mental Health among African American: Innovations in Research and Practice

This session will focus on the critical role of cultural adaptability in delivering effective mental health care. The panelists will explore the nuances of communication norms influenced by complex intersectional backgrounds, highlighting how factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and lived experiences shape interactions. Attendees will gain practical tools and strategies to adjust communication styles, reduce misunderstandings, and foster culturally responsive interactions that enhance therapeutic outcomes in diverse care settings.

Utilizing an Equity-Minded Approach to Mental Healthcare Delivery

 

  Glenda Wrenn-Gordon, M.D., MSHP, Chief of Clinical Strategy, Mindoula, Associate Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Moorehouse School of Medicine

  Brian McGregor, Ph.D., M.S., Community Psychologist, Owner of McGregor Research & Consulting, LLC, Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Moorehouse School of Medicine

This session will equip attendees with strategies to practice mental health care through an equity lens. Panelists will discuss methods for practitioners to identify and address personal biases, alongside fostering a comprehensive understanding of the social determinants that shape health outcomes in their communities. Attendees will gain valuable community-centered insights into enhancing patient-centered care, creating a unique opportunity to deepen their approach to equitable, responsive healthcare delivery.

Lessons Learned and Action Planning

 

 

  Marissa Robinson, DrPH, M.P.H, RPCV, Health Equity Specialist Lead and Black Women’s Initiative Co-lead, Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy

In this final session, attendees will have the opportunity to reflect on the knowledge gained and collaboratively develop actionable plans to implement within their organizations and practices. This session will encourage discussion, allowing participants to devise tailored strategies for applying insights to foster meaningful change in their professional settings.