Multicultural Counseling

This course explores how cultural differences shape mental health care and why evidence-based psychotherapies may need cultural adaptation to improve engagement and outcomes for diverse populations. Clinicians will learn practical strategies for implementing culturally tailored approaches, including considerations for migratory grief, single-session interventions, and organizational barriers.

Rapid demographic shifts continue to impact and alter the clinical landscape in the U.S., with direct implications for health care delivery. Despite an increased emphasis on cultural diversity in health care professions training, significant disparities persist in mental health service utilization, premature termination, and clinical mental health outcomes among racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse populations. These disparities may be amplified due to the fact that standard Evidence-Based Psychotherapies (EBPs) are often developed and normed on Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic populations—and therefore require systematic cultural adaptation in order to maximize patient engagement, therapeutic alliance, and efficacy in diverse populations.

This new course will help clinicians better understand how mental health and illness is viewed through various cultural lenses; discuss foundational evidence supporting cultural adaptations to EBPs; and identify organizational barriers to implementing culturally tailored programs in various clinical settings. Faculty will also discuss the universality of migratory grief, explore how Single-Session Interventions (SSIs) may be an effective therapeutic option in certain circumstances, and review tips to help clinical teams successfully integrate tailored programs into their standardized care models. In addition, an interactive small group breakout session will promote deeper exploration and discussion of key implementation skills among participants. We invite all clinicians who provide counseling and therapy to diverse populations to join us in Spring 2027!

*Generative AI was used to draft this overview. HMS faculty course directors then reviewed and edited it to ensure factual and clinical accuracy.

Who Should Attend

• Specialty Physicians
• Primary Care Physicians
• Nurses, Social Workers
• Family Therapists
• Counselors
• Psychologists 

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Identify opportunities within the clinical assessment process to explore migration-related grief and loss while promoting resilience and connection.
• Review the evidence on the effectiveness of single-session interventions (SSIs) for improving mental health outcomes, and describe ways SSIs can be adapted or tailored for different populations, cultures, and settings.
• Consider and explain how various elements of the Unified Protocol may affect its effectiveness in ethno-cultural groups.
• Describe several cultural adaptations to psychotherapy that have been shown to improve outcomes for Asian heritage populations.
• Formulate organizational strategies to overcome multidisciplinary implementation barriers and facilitate interprofessional practice.
   Apply deep-structure cultural adaptations to evidence-based practice (integrating cultural values, belief systems, and social determinants of health).
• Discuss common team-level barriers to implementing culturally responsive clinical initiatives and identify strategies to promote clinician engagement and adoption.
• Apply strategies to navigate multidisciplinary team dynamics and promote sustained adoption of culturally responsive clinical practices.

ABMS/ACGME Competencies

This course is designed to meet the following American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) / Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Educational (ACGME) competencies:

• Patient Care and Procedural Skills
• Medical Knowledge
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills

IOM Competencies

This course is designed to meet the following Institute of Medicine Core Competencies:

• Provide Patient-Centered Care
• Employ Evidence-Based Practice

Disclaimer Policy

CME activities accredited by Harvard Medical School are offered solely for educational purposes and do not constitute any form of certification of competency. Practitioners should always consult additional sources of information and exercise their best professional judgment before making clinical decisions of any kind.

Note: AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ is calculated based on submission of a preliminary agenda and may be subject to change.

Disclosure

In accord with the disclosure policy of the Medical School as well as standards set forth by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), course planners, speakers, and content reviewers have been asked to disclose any relationships they have to companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. In addition, faculty have been asked to list any off-label uses of pharmaceuticals and/or devices for investigational or non-FDA approved purposes that they plan to discuss.

Questions?

Please contact us.

Wei-Chin Hwang, PhD

Private Clinical Psychology and Consulting Practice
Professor of Clinical Psychology, Claremont McKenna College

Yveton Isnor, PsyD

Clinical Psychologist, Recovery in Shared Experiences (RISE) program, Cambridge Health Alliance
Instructor in Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

David Klemanski, PsyD, MPH

Chief, Division of Psychology and Co-Director of Postdoctoral Training, Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance 
Member of the Faculty, Harvard Medical School 

Michelle Silva, PsyD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Director, Connecticut Latino Behavioral Health System
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine 

Juan Pablo Zapata, PhD

Clinical Psychologist
Associate Director, Lab for Scalable Mental Health and Research Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University

Course Directors

Harvard Medical School Continuing Education attracts the best and brightest faculty from all around the world. As a student in this course, you’ll have access to outstanding course directors and faculty.

Ingrid Sarmiento, PhD

Instructor in Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Outpatient Adult Psychologist, Cambridge Health Alliance

Luciana Quintanilha, MSW, LICSW

Clinical Social Worker, Outpatient Psychiatry and Perinatal Mental Health Team, Cambridge Health Alliance

Treniece Lewis Harris, PhD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Founder and CEO of CULTURA Psychotherapy & Consulting, LLC
Lecturer on Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry, Part-time, Harvard Medical School

Karen Kuc, MPH

Director, Continuing Education in Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance​​​
Associate in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

In support of improving patient care, Harvard Medical School is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

In Person, Hybrid, or Live Online (Virtual) accredited activities: These activities are accredited as Live or Blended/Other activities. To receive CME/CE credit, learners are required to complete the course evaluation. Once the evaluation is complete, you will be able to claim your credit and download your certificate. All evaluations and credit claims must be completed within 60 days of the course end date.

Online; Self Paced (On Demand) accredited activities: These activities are accredited as Enduring activities for three years. To receive CME/CE credit, learners must pass the course post-test and complete the course evaluation in order to claim credit before the final day of the accreditation period. Learners have access to the course for 60 days after the accreditation period has expired.

Physicians

The Harvard Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses

For the purpose of recertification, the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board and the American Nurses Credentialing Center accept  AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ issued by organizations accredited by the ACCME. We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with  AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure.

Physician Assistants

The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) states that  AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ are acceptable for continuing medical education requirements for recertification. We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure. 

Psychologists

Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course offers 7.00 continuing education credits.

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, counselors, and LMFTs, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. Participants must be present for all sessions to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please contact us.

Social Workers

This program has been approved for a total of 7.00 Social Work Continuing Education hours for re-licensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approval Program, Authorization Number D-20569-2.  NY Social Workers: Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an Approved Provider #0038 of continuing education for licensed social workers. This course offers 7.00 contact hours.

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, counselors, and LMFTs, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. Participants must be present for all sessions to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please contact us.

Counselors

Cambridge Health Alliance is an Affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5444.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. This course meets the requirements for 7.0 continuing education hours and is also applicable for Commonwealth of Massachusetts Counseling/Allied Mental Health accreditation for 7.00 credits.

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, counselors, and LMFTs, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. Participants must be present for all sessions to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please contact us.

Marriage/Family Therapists

This activity has been certified by New England Association for Family and Systemic Therapy on behalf of the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions, for LMFT professional continuing education, Certificate #215880021-B, for a total of 7.00 contact hours. The States of CT and RI accept NBCC and NASW approval for marriage and family therapy.

Please note: For psychologists, social workers, counselors, and LMFTs, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. Participants must be present for all sessions to claim a certificate. For any questions regarding CE credit, please contact us.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada recognizes conferences and workshops held outside of Canada that are developed by a university, academy, hospital, specialty society or college as accredited group learning activities.

Union of European Medical Specialists

The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement of mutual recognition of continuing medical education (CME) credit with the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). Additional information regarding this agreement may be found on the Union of European Medical Specialists website.

You may register through our secure online environment and will receive an email confirmation upon receipt of your payment. Session recordings are available 30 days after the course ends.

At the end of the registration process, a $10 non-refundable processing fee will be added to your registration.

Course Tuition

Course Registration - Multicultural Counseling

Physician (MD/DO)

$290 / ($260 if registered by April 22, 2027)

All Other Health Professionals

$230 / ($200 if registered by April 22, 2027)

Review the cancellation policy.

Tuition includes electronic syllabus.