1:00 – 1:45 PM Check In
1:50 – 2:00 PM Introduction
2:00 – 2:50 PM Round 1 – Concurrent Sessions
3:00 – 3:50 PM Round 2 – Concurrent Sessions
4:05 – 4:55 PM Round 3 – Concurrent Sessions
5:10 – 6:00 PM Round 4 – Concurrent Sessions
6:00 – 6:30 PM Dinner
6:30 – 7:30 PM Keynote
Round 1 Sessions
Click on session titles to read descriptions. Sessions eligible for CE credit are noted with an asterisk *.
This session will provide a didactic on the principles of decolonial care and its applications in the MENA population. Decolonized mental health care is an emerging initiative aimed at addressing the persistent impacts of colonialism on mental health practices. This research examines the significance of incorporating indigenous and cultural knowledge into therapeutic approaches, departing from Western-centric approaches that frequently neglect the distinct needs of oppressed communities. We will present considerations for care that are grounded in the distinct cultural and social circumstances of the MENA community, emphasizing collective healing, stigma reduction, and the incorporation of traditional healing methods.
* This session is approved by the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP) for 1.0 contact hours related to substance abuse.
This presentation explores how the Superwoman Paradigm, with its emphasis on strength and resilience, influences African American women’s mental health and help-seeking behaviors. Attendees will explore how societal and cultural expectations, along with historical and systemic factors, contribute to emotional burdens and barriers to mental health care. Recognizing that not all African American women experience or internalize these pressures in the same way, this session will encourage personal reflection and interactive discussions to uncover potential challenges in accessing mental health support. The session will empower clinicians to provide better, more inclusive care for African American women, foster healthier help-seeking behaviors, and encourage both clinicians and non-clinicians to become more aware of the unique mental health challenges faced by this population.
* This session is approved by the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP) for 1.0 contact hours related to substance abuse.
This presentation explores the cultural experiences and mental health considerations of Arab Americans, a diverse group with roots in countries across the Middle East and North Africa. It traces the history of Arab immigration to the U.S., including key waves and settlement patterns, and highlights cultural differences from mainstream American norms. Topics include Arab Americans’ traditional worldview, communication styles, and cultural traditions relevant to therapy. It also examines potential causes of distress, the impact on mental health, and culturally sensitive therapeutic approaches. Finally, the presentation emphasizes avoiding stereotypes and fostering a nuanced understanding of Arab American identity and diversity.
* This session is approved by the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP) for 1.0 contact hours related to substance abuse.
Round 2 Sessions
Click on session titles to read descriptions. Sessions eligible for CE credit are noted with an asterisk *.
What does cultural competence look like specific to the Latino community given the current political climate? This presentation will review critical cultural components and values to consider when providing treatment to this population. From a trauma-informed lens, there will be a focus on immigration-related issues such as causes surrounding why people leave their countries of origin and acculturative concerns during migration and arrival to the U.S. Current events and anti-human rights movements will be reviewed and their impact on undocumented Latino/a/e individuals who are living in the United States. This presentation will provide opportunity for participants to review and discuss case scenarios to inform treatment practices.
* This session is approved by the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP) for 1.0 contact hours related to substance abuse.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a third wave cognitive behavioral therapy that is a transdiagnostic approach that emphasizes the centrality of the client’s values in treatment. This makes it an ideal therapy for use across different cultures and with different populations. This presentation will demonstrate how ACT can be effectively applied to clients who are members of gender and sexual minority (GSM) populations. Participants will be walked through case conceptualization and treatment planning from an ACT lens with emphasis on common issues identified by GSM clients.
* This session is approved by the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP) for 1.0 contact hours related to substance abuse.
Round 3 Sessions
Click on session titles to read descriptions. Sessions eligible for CE credit are noted with an asterisk *.
Arab Americans, representing a diverse community from the Middle East, share cultural, linguistic, and other ties that shape their identities. However, they remain one of the most misunderstood ethnic groups in the United States. Many Arab Americans are reluctant to seek mental health services due to stigma and cultural expectations. Mental Health professionals should assess cultural factors, family dynamics, and potential experiences of discrimination when working with Arab Americans. Providers must validate clients’ experiences, avoid stereotyping, reduce biases, and offer culturally sensitive care. By Knowing these factors, mental health professionals can build trust and improve treatment outcomes for Arab Americans.
* This session is approved by the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP) for 1.0 contact hours related to substance abuse.
This presentation highlights the stressors that individuals from marginalized communities/backgrounds face during a Trump presidency, and how clinicians can be of support to their clients. Many individuals from marginalized communities including those who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, people of color, POC individuals who immigrated to the United States documented or undocumented (specifically Latinx), women, and those with disabilities face immense stress and worry as their rights to a dignified and peaceful existence are challenged during the Trump administration. This research is meant to provide clinicians of all backgrounds with the knowledge and skills to navigate how to best support clients during this tumultuous time.
* This session is approved by the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP) for 1.0 contact hours related to substance abuse.
This presentation explores the concept of cultural humility as a critical framework for psychologists working with diverse populations. While cultural competence focuses on acquiring knowledge, cultural humility emphasizes lifelong learning, self-reflection, and systemic advocacy. The session will discuss barriers Black clinicians face, the impact of bias in mental health care, and practical strategies for integrating cultural humility into clinical practice. Through interactive discussion and small group activities, attendees will learn how to foster inclusivity, challenge implicit bias, and implement culturally responsive care in psychology. This session will provide a deeper understanding of how cultural humility advances individualized experiences in the therapeutic setting and outside of it.
* This session is approved by the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP) for 1.0 contact hours related to substance abuse.
Round 4 Sessions
Click on session titles to read descriptions. Sessions eligible for CE credit are noted with an asterisk *.
This presentation focuses on the unique considerations and strategies for providing culturally competent therapy to Middle Eastern communities. It will explore the interplay of cultural values, faith, and family structures in shaping mental health experiences and attitudes toward therapy. Through personal narratives, research, and practitioner insights, attendees will gain tools to foster trust, address stigma, and navigate cultural nuances in therapeutic settings. The session emphasizes cultural humility and awareness, offering actionable strategies to enhance mental health care for Middle Eastern clients.
* This session is approved by the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP) for 1.0 contact hours related to substance abuse.
In 2024, the U.S. Census reported 65.2 million Hispanic/Latine people in the U.S., making them the largest minority group. Yet, only 40% of Latine individuals with mental health diagnoses received treatment in 2022 (SAMHSA, 2024). Barriers like stigma, privacy concerns, and a lack of Spanish-speaking providers contribute to this gap. This presentation will help mental health professionals understand Latine culture, including its strengths, values, and challenges. Through an empathy-building exercise, participants will reflect on their cultural biases and explore culturally responsive treatment strategies, leaving with resources to better serve the Latine community in mental health settings.
Current research shows a varied relationship between climate anxiety and engagement in collective pro-environmental behaviors. As climate change is a societal burden, it is reasonable to question whether systemic issues mediate climate action. This study intends to quantitatively examine the implications of imposed scarcity mindset and symbolic racism in the context of climate action engagement. The researchers predict a significant interaction and main effect between scarcity mindset, symbolic racism, and engagement in climate action.
Keynote
The Invisible Thread: Using Our Narrative to Navigate Belonging
Gregory Smith, MA
Farmington Public Schools
