Multicultural Counseling - The New Paradigm for Substance Abuse Professionals

Goals/Objectives

This course will help the trainee to become better skilled at understanding diverse populations and the use of appropriate therapeutic skills with these populations. Assessment of communication skills and an understanding of values and beliefs and differences in class structures will be key elements for this process to occur.

By participating in this Distance Learning Course, you will be able to:

1. identify their issues of working with culturally diverse populations;
2. better understand attitudes, values and beliefs as it relates to the use of alcohol and other drugs from culturally diverse populations;
3. define the effects and impact of the environment and the institution in which a person is seeking treatment;
4. evaluate verbal and non-verbal communication skills and the impact it has on the therapeutic relationship;
5. increase awareness, self awareness and appropriate therapeutic interventions when working with diverse populations;
6. create a forum to discuss practical application and special issues related to multicultural counseling through the use of internet technologies.

Your Course Instructor:
Karen Kelly
MS, MAC, CRPS, CCS
Trainer, Author, Consultant

Karen Kelly is currently the Project Director at the Morehouse School of Medicine, Cork Institute, Addiction Technology Transfer Center, in Atlanta, GA. With over 25 years of experience in substance abuse treatment and criminal justice settings, Karen has provided consultation, management, and oversight to a National Employee Assistance and Managed Mental Health Care firm, based in Atlanta, Ga. In addition, Karen is founder, and President of Circle of Recovery, Inc.

Karen is actively involved in providing ongoing consultation, training, and drug/alcohol education, as well as training in other areas of human services. She is currently an adjunct professor at Morris Brown College, in Atlanta, GA. She has developed a number of diverse substance abuse treatment, training, and educational programs. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Administration with a minor in Psychology from Central Michigan University, a Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Park College, and two Associates of Science degree from The Community College of the Air Force, one in Nursing, the other in Social Services.

Karen currently holds certifications as a Nationally Certified Addictions Counselor Level II, Nationally Certified Relapse Prevention Specialist, Certified Clinical Supervisor, Certified Criminal Justice Specialist, and a Certified Risk Reduction Instructor. She is also a Nationally Certified Trainer/Instructor through NAADAC. Karen is presently a member of the National Association of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC), the Georgia Addictions Counselor Association, (GACA), and the American Counseling Association (ACA).

Her most recent projects include participation on the National Addiction Technology Transfer Centers Curriculum Committee and their development of Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes of Professional Practice. Other works include but are not limited to the development of specific curriculum for The Georgia Department of Corrections, and The Georgia Department of Human Resources, Substance Abuse Section. She continues to serve as the Lead Trainer for Georgia's entry level Addiction's Counselors Training Program, sponsored through The Georgia Addictions Counselors' Association, training arm (PDI).