Bridging the Gap & Building Trust Between African American Clergy and Mental Health Professionals

This two-hour continuing education program equips licensed mental health professionals with culturally competent strategies for engaging African American faith communities and building collaborative relationships with clergy. The session examines how historical trauma, cultural stigma, and systemic barriers have contributed to a longstanding mistrust between African American communities and mental health professionals. Participants will explore the unique role of Black faith institutions in shaping attitudes toward mental health, as well as the importance of integrating spiritually sensitive practices into their work with African American clients.

The program is delivered as a live webinar or in-person training and incorporates both lecture and interactive learning. Participants will explore real-world case studies and role-play exercises to apply culturally sensitive counseling techniques in practice. Instruction is organized into two sessions:

 Understanding cultural stigma, historical mistrust, and barriers to care; and provides a contextual foundation—reviewing the impact of slavery, segregation, and historical mistreatment in healthcare that influence present-day stigma.