Monthly Training: In Honor of Black History Month: A Panel Discussion on Diversity

This program will benefit MFT and LCSW licensees and pre licensees.
Includes: Breakfast and meets the qualifications for 2 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.  Sacramento Valley Chapter of California Marriage and Family Therapist CAMFT CEPA CE Provider #62279 CE Credit will be awarded on site and to participants at completion of the course

Workshop Information:
How can we contribute to the mental/behavioral well-being of those who may or may not identify themselves as part of the African diaspora?

Are we considering the ethnicity, culture, nationality and heritage of our clients when we consider diagnosis and treatment?

SVC-CAMFT is hosting a panel of experts to expand our knowledge and skills with regards to the African diaspora and the unique needs and challenges presented in therapy. Najjiyya Arnold, Adele James and Dr. Makram Samaan will provide an opportunity for an honest conversation regarding how mental/behavioral health professionals can be of service to a diverse population.
Course Outline: 

• Introductions
• Diversity among the panelists
• Racial disparities in mental/behavioral health treatment for people of African descent
• Brief overview of incorporating non-traditional interventions strategies in mental/behavioral health care
• Q & A

Learning Objectives:

• Increase awareness and knowledge of mental/behavioral health challenges of the African diaspora
• Examine resources, interventions and strategies for improving therapy outcomes

Presenters' Bios:
Adele James, MA is the founder and principal consultant of Adele James Consulting & Coaching (www.adelejamesconsulting.com).  She loves working with individuals, nonprofit professionals and teams to articulate values as the starting place for work and life that are nourishing, balanced and sustaining.

As a child, Adele emigrated from Trinidad, West Indies to the U.S.  She has known the challenges of leadership roles while negotiating between race, gender, and cultural borders.  Adele has over 20 years experience in the nonprofit and philanthropy sectors, having commissioned and/or facilitated grant programs totaling $176 million throughout California as a program officer for The Women’s Foundation of California, The California Endowment, and The San Francisco Foundation.  She is also adjunct faculty to the University of San Francisco Nonprofit Masters Program.  She is currently working on a book of photography and stories of undiscovered and indigenous artists in Trinidad & Tobago.
Adele holds a M.A. from Stanford University in International Development Education, and a B.A. from Barnard College, Columbia University.
Najjiyya Arnold - created and became CEO of Profiles Unlimited, Educational Foundation, Training Institute (Profiles). The 20-year-old, not-for-profit (501(c)(3), Profile’s hallmark is its unwavering commitment to systemic change through the renegotiation of existing social models. The goal?  A "leveling" of the proverbial "playing field" for our community members who historically encounter barriers to fully accessing and enjoying the richly varied opportunities our society has to offer. Diminishment of the impact that indicators such as mental health status, gender, racial or ethnic heritage, economic means, and other familiar "success indicators" has on one's ability to achieve success is without doubt a goal that we wholeheartedly embrace!
Dr. Makram Samaan Retired Psychologist\Behaviorist who was privileged to be a student of B.F. Skinner.   He immigrated from Egypt due to political and military conflict.  After  completing his master and doctorate degrees in the states.  His career spans over 6 decades of teaching and providing skills training to a diverse population.  He also taught at Cal State Sacramento.