The DSM-V has changed the scope of clinical practice by emphasizing diversity and cultural sensitivity. Clinicians must challenge their own competency by assessing their ability to increase their knowledge, explore, and respect diversity. Cultural competency is an ever-evolving concept and an area in which clinicians must always be learning and growing. This is particularly true when working with clients who identify with cultures and religions that are unfamiliar to most clinicians. Islam is the second largest religion in the world and one of the fastest growing religions in the United States yet is largely misrepresented and misunderstood. Muslims consist of both immigrants and individuals whose families have resided in America for generations. The Muslim identity can impact every aspect of an individual’s life and as a clinician it is important not only to understand the fundamentals within the religion and its culture, but confront any bias that exists in the therapeutic relationship.
In this presentation clinicians will become familiar with the basics of Islamic cultural and religious influences, enhance their cultural awareness with regard to both themselves and their clients, examine areas of discomfort in addressing various cultural issues and practices, and witness the harmful therapeutic consequences that can ensue if cultural influences are ignored.
Learning Objectives:
· Increase awareness by exploring the basic tenets of Islamic jurisprudence as it relates to identity development as well as confronting stereotypes and misconceptions.
· Discuss growing discrimination and complex trauma experienced by Muslim communities varying by gender, ethnicity, country of origin, immigration status, and sexual orientation.
· Explore cultural bias and the role clinicians’ personal attitudes and beliefs play in providing ethical treatment.
· Discuss potential consequences and misdiagnoses when clinicians lack cultural competence when working with an unfamiliar and complex population.
· Improve clinicians’ comfortability with assessing and addressing clients’ level of enculturation and acculturation
· Learn culturally sensitive assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals identifying as Muslim.
Time:
8:30am: Registration and Continental Breakfast
9am to 12pm: Presentation
Audience:
Professional Counselors
Social Workers
Substance Abuse Counselors
Marriage and Family Therapists
Psychologists
Course Presenter:
Farah Hussain Baig, LCSW is the Founder & CEO of InnerVoice Psychotherapy & Consultation. With nearly 20 years of experience in the field of mental health, Farah’s clinical experience includes areas of community mental health, residential treatment, as well as, conducting research in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Northwestern University. She has formal education in Islamic studies as well as areas within Islamic jurisprudence. She is proficient in facilitating psycho-educational workshops including those tailored to issues facing the Muslim community and regularly participates in interfaith initiatives to foster constructive dialog and increase compassion and tolerance between different religious communities.
Farah is trained in a number of therapeutic modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). She is frequently asked to speak on mental health related topics and has been interviewed as a clinical expert for various publications and television programs. Farah earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Michigan and Master of Social Work degree, with honors, from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Continuation Education Credit for Professional Counselors, Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Licensed Clinical Psychologists.
This educational offering has been approved for 3 Continuing Education hours by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
