Time: 12PM - 1:30PM ET

Traditionally, cultural competence training has involved conveying information on cultural considerations and mitigating the harm that can be done to patients when there is a lack of cultural awareness. Today, our training must evolve to include enhanced ethical decision-making models around cultural bias, self-awareness strategies that promote a better understanding of defensiveness or emotional reactivity, and resolution strategies. We can no longer ignore the impact that socio-political divisiveness has on our patients, ourselves, and the marginalized communities we serve. This presentation will include practical next steps to integrate culturally informed care into our ethical decision-making. Participants will also hear the lived experiences of wounded healers and examine how to authentically embrace diversity so that we may be effective advocates for marginalized communities.

Presenters:

Samson Teklemariam, LPC, CPTM, is the Vice President of Clinical Services for Behavioral Health Group and the Southeast Regional Vice President for NAADAC. He is an accomplished leader with a history of driving organizational results with learning and development solutions. He was formerly the Director of Training and Professional Development for NAADAC and the National Director of Learning and Development for Phoenix House Foundation. Teklemariam is a certified lead trainer for the Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Substance Abuse (CBISA) curriculum, Calm Every Storm: Crisis Prevention & Intervention curriculum, and is experienced in the treatment of trauma-related disorders using trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TFCBT) and Seeking Safety. He is passionate about culturally-responsive care for co-occurring conditions, clinical supervision and mentorship, improving access to care barriers, and advocacy for communities in greatest need.

Gus Raymond, tLMHC, NCC, CADC, is currently based in Iowa, where he runs a private practice and is a doctoral student and community advocate. Raymond is the former Director of Prevention and Intervention Services for Storm Lake Community Schools and an adjunct professor of psychology. In addition to his academic roles in K-12 and higher education, Raymond has provided professional development instruction in academic and clinical environments. He is a member of GLSEN's Educator's Advisory Council, contributing to shaping LGBTQ+ inclusion in school communities nationwide, a 2021 MFP-AC alum and advisory council member, and a NALGAP board member. Additionally, he serves as the co-chair for the NAADAC committee for LBTQIA2S+, and serves on the JEDI Committee.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to integrate cultural responsiveness in ethical decision-making. 
• Participants will be able to provide patients and colleagues at least three culturally informed ethical decision-making models that match the needs of the addiction profession and the diverse communities that are served. 
• Participants will be able to hear the lived experience of wounded healers and understand how embracing authenticity is essential to embrace diversity.