Objective 1:  Define health equity and describe how social determinants influence mental health outcomes.

Objective 2:  Identify behavioral health disparities that affect access to care among different populations.

Objective 3:  Recognize the role of cultural humility and implicit bias in clinical decision-making.

Objective 4:  Apply culturally responsive communication strategies when working with diverse clients.

Objective 5:  Identify practical approaches to reducing barriers to behavioral health services.

Objective 6:  Integrate health equity principles into clinical assessment and treatment planning.

About the course

This course explores the role of health equity and cultural responsiveness in behavioral health care. Mental health outcomes and access to care are often influenced by social determinants such as socioeconomic status, community resources, cultural identity, and systemic barriers within healthcare systems. Participants will examine how structural inequities and social conditions can affect mental health treatment engagement and outcomes. The course also introduces the concepts of cultural humility, implicit bias, and culturally responsive communication in clinical practice. Through discussion of real-world case studies and practical examples, participants will explore how clinicians can recognize barriers to care and adapt treatment approaches to better support diverse populations. Topics include cross-cultural communication, culturally informed assessment, stigma surrounding mental health treatment, and strategies for creating inclusive and accessible clinical environments. This training is designed to help behavioral health professionals strengthen their awareness of health disparities while developing practical skills that support equitable and culturally responsive care.

Carmen Benway, LMHC, LPC, NCC, ACS

Carmen Benway is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor with experience providing behavioral health services to diverse populations. She is the founder and director of Seattle Neurocounseling, a behavioral health practice serving individuals and families in Washington and Oregon. Carmen has extensive experience working with individuals navigating complex mental health challenges, including trauma, injury-related mental health conditions, and barriers to accessing care. She is passionate about helping clients navigate both the emotional and systemic challenges that impact mental health. In addition to clinical work, Carmen supervises behavioral health providers and develops training and educational programs for clinicians. Her work focuses on improving access to mental health care, supporting culturally responsive clinical practice, and helping providers better understand the social and systemic factors that influence mental health outcomes.

Curriculum

4 Chapters · 26 Lessons

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      What Health Equity Means in Healthcare

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Social Determinants of Mental Health

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Mental Health Disparities in the United States

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Structural Inequities and Historical Context

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Case Study: Transportation and Access Barriers

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Case Study: Financial Barriers to Treatment

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Cultural Competence vs Cultural Humility

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Implicit Bias in Mental Health Care

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Recognizing Bias in Clinical Decision-Making

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Strategies for Equity-Focused Clinical Practice

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Case Study: Cultural Values and Family Expectations

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Case Study: Implicit Bias in Clinical Assessment

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Faith, Spirituality, and Cultural Identity

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Immigration, Acculturation, and Identity Stress

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Disability, Injury, and Chronic Illness as Cultural Experiences

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Socioeconomic Status and Mental Health

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Cross-Cultural Communication

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Cultural Formulation and Assessment

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Addressing Stigma Around Mental Health

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Building Inclusive and Accessible Clinical Environments

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Beyond Good Intentions: A Health Equity Self-Reflection Exercise

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Conclusion

Health Equity and Cultural Competence for Behavioral Health Professionals

Improving health equity in behavioral health begins with awareness and intentional clinical practice. As you complete this course, consider how the concepts of cultural humility, social determinants of health, and equitable care can be applied in your own work with clients. Reflect on ways you can support more inclusive and accessible mental health services within your clinical practice and professional community.

$49.00

Enroll Now