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First Friday Forum Webinar: “This Wasn’t in the Manual – Now What?”: Adapting CBT to Optimize Care for Diverse Patients
Friday, June 04, 2021, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CDT
Category: First Friday Forum (CE)

Full Day Friday Forum:

“This Wasn’t in the Manual – Now What?”: Adapting CBT to Optimize Care for Diverse Patients

This program will be held virtually because of safety concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Details with instruction on how to view the webinar have been sent to all registrants. If you did not receive the Zoom link, please email [email protected].

Friday, June 4, 2021

Program: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. CT

Friday Forums are cosponsored with the Metropolitan State University Psychology Department.

About the Program

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is considered a gold-standard psychotherapy (David et al., 2018). However, marginalized populations are underrepresented in CBT efficacy studies (Graham et al., 2014, Pantalone et al., 2019), and as such it is unclear whether traditional CBT is effective or acceptable to these groups. Individuals from marginalized racial and ethnic groups experience higher levels of premature CBT termination as compared to white populations (Arnow et al., 2007; Wang, 2007). Persons with cognitive or physical disabilities may face several barriers to traditional CBT, including challenges with mobility, learning, or communication (e.g., Budd et al., 2017). Given the significant diversity of mental health consumers, there is a strong ethical and clinical rationale for adapting CBT to enhance culturally affirming care.Fortunately, it is possible to tailor even manualized CBT to facilitate culturally responsive care while maintaining fidelity to the treatment model (e.g., Gallagher et al., 2019). Featured techniques include culturally affirming cognitive restructuring and behavior change approaches, homework adaptations for patients with cognitive challenges, flexible uses of session time and physical space, and collaborations with family/caregivers. Suggested techniques are informed by empirical literature, treatment guidelines (e.g., APA 2012), and our clinical experience; case examples will be provided. This session is at the intermediate level and is designed for psychologists and other mental health professionals.

This session is at the intermediate level and is designed for psychologists and other mental health professionals.

This session qualifies for 6.0 continuing education credits. You must attend the full 6-hour program to get continuing education credit for the event.

Participants will be able to:

  1. Describe a rationale (rooted in ethical, clinical and empirical considerations) for tailoring CBT when working with marginalized populations.
  2. Identify the specific circumstances in which a clinician may seek a neuropsychological assessment before tailoring CBT for a patient with suspected cognitive challenges.
  3. Identify 3 techniques for adapting CBT for individuals with cognitive disabilities.
  4. Identify 3 techniques for adapting CBT for individuals with physical disabilities.
  5. Identify 3 unique challenges faced by patients from Hmong, African, or Mexican cultural/ethnic backgrounds in seeking CBT.
  6. Identify 3 techniques for adapting CBT for individuals from Hmong, African, or Mexican cultural/ethnic backgrounds.

About the Presenters:

Efrat Eichenbaum, Ph.D., LP, received her Ph.D. from Drexel University, in Clinical Psychology, with a Health Psychology Concentration and is a fellowship-trained rehabilitation psychologist at United Hospital, part of Allina Health. At United Hospital, she provides evidence-based assessment, consultation, and therapy - primarily CBT - to a diverse patient population. Dr. Eichenbaum has extensive experience with adapting CBT to better serve marginalized populations, most frequently persons with physical or cognitive disabilities. Dr. Eichenbaum is committed to evidence-based practice, professional service, and training in psychology. She is actively involved in APA Division 22 (Rehabilitation Psychology) and serves as an APA Internship Site Visitor and MPA Ethics Committee member.

Mariah Olvera, M.A., is a fourth-year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Her work focuses on helping clients tell their story through understanding how their identity and cultural ex-periences shape their experiences. Through her own experiences as a Multiracial woman, Mariah became interested in studying identity development and how experiences of oppression impact wellbeing. Her current work also includes providing outpatient therapy as well as conducting neuropsychological assessments to individuals from various backgrounds and ages. She has also provided training to other professionals on the impact of power and privilege on their work.

The speakers have indicated they do not have any conflicts of interest.


Continuing Education Credit:
The Minnesota Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Minnesota Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS:  If you need disability related accommodations to make this event accessible, please contact the Metropolitan State University Center for Accessibility Resources, 651-793-1549, or [email protected]


To Register:

Registration Pricing:

Type MPA Member Non-Member Student New! Retired Member
Pricing $119 $149

$30

$60 (No CE Credit)

MPA wants all members to have access to quality CE opportunities. If you are an MPA member and due to COVID-19 you are unable to work full time and can’t pay the full registration fee, please contact [email protected] to make other arrangements with staff.

Click here to register.

Click here to view and download a PDF program flyer and registration form.

Refund/Cancellation Policy: A 100% refund will be made if the event is cancelled. Refunds, less a $5 handling fee, will be given if a written cancellation is received at least two working days before the scheduled program begins. No refund or transfer is given the day of the program.