Virtual Webinar On-Demand

Working with Clients of Color: Barriers to Mental Health Care

Presented by Leslie Holley
1.75 CE Hours Cultural Competency , General Introductory
Working with Clients of Color: Barriers to Mental Health Care

Pricing

Information

Recorded

Educational Goal

Participants will learn about issues facing Black adults seeking counseling.

Description

Despite progress in recent years regarding discrimination, racism continues to impact the mental health of Black and African American populations. According to Mental Health America National, Black and African American adults are more likely to experience sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness than white adults. Additionally, Black and African American teenagers are more likely to attempt suicide than their white counterparts. In this presentation, you will learn the following:

 

  • Concerns for Blacks and African Americans experiencing mental health issues.
  • Signs & Symptoms specific to Blacks and African Americans when it comes to mental health concerns.
  • Cultural Considerations for Blacks and African American families when seeking mental health support.
  • Statistics on mental health concerns for the Black and African American population.
  • Tools & Recommendations.
  • Resources to share.

Target Audience

  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker
  • Substance Use Disorder Professionals

Presenters

Leslie Holley

Leslie Holley is a Nationally Certified Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, MA, LCPC, LPC, NCC (MD, DC, VA, MO) who earned her Masters in Community Counseling from DePaul University, where she also taught masters level clinical counseling courses as an adjunct professor. She is the owner of Healing-Circle, LLC, a private counseling practice in downtown Silver Spring, MD. Healing-Circle’s team provides psychotherapy and coaching interventions and strives to provide affordable counseling services for black and brown communities.

Her team is a community of relatable black women who hold space for trauma and are responsive. Healing Circle reminds its clients that therapy is where they choose themselves. They hold their clients accountable and highlight the importance of self-care. Healing-Circle recognizes the threat of systematic racism in our world and how it impacts people of color. At Healing Circle, you are seen. They offer a sliding scale and promote wellness in all aspects.

Leslie Holley also provides mental health presentations throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV). She has been working with organizations in the community for over 10 years, giving presentations on mental health topics, providing thoughtful mental health content, organizing and leading groups, and developing care plans. Some of her clients include Vaughn Greene Funeral Services, Evan Smith Funeral Services, the Edlavitch Jewish Community Center of Washington DC, the American Counseling Association (ACA), the Illinois Counseling Association (ICA), Northwestern University, DePaul University, and the Maryland Counseling Association Multicultural Division (MAMCD), to name a few. Some of her many presentations include How to Deal With Prolonged Grief, Conquering Cumulative Stress, Depression & COVID-19, Effectively Working with Coworkers, Mental Health Awareness, Managing Change, therapy 101, how to start a private practice (3 part series), trauma in children and adolescents, how to manage a crisis, conflict resolution, bullying in the workplace, assertive training, and thriving in a multigenerational workforce.

She has given presentations to groups as small as 5 attendees up to 400 attendees at a time and has facilitated organizational mental health groups to fit an array of needs. As former President of the Maryland Counseling Association Multicultural Division and Secretary for the Maryland Counseling Association, Leslie is reliable and qualified to work collaboratively, prepare timely presentations and care plans, and engage authentically with her audience.

Leslie offers counseling for adults working through anxiety, depression, codependency, life transitions, and relationship building in her counseling practice. Leslie helps clients establish boundaries and practice healthy communication strategies through their mental health journey. She specializes in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), working with Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), has been extensively trained in trauma and is Reiki I Certified. Moreover, she completed her
Master’s thesis, with distinction, on the help-seeking behaviors of African American men. Leslie annually offers an African American (AA) Women Support Group and adolescents of color group. Topics for AA women include post-baby issues, divorce support, and building healthy relationships. Lastly, during group work with adolescents, she focuses on empowering and strengthening their self-esteem.

Leslie has shared her mental health knowledge on Chicago WGN Radio and the online radio show, Let’s Stay Together, during their monthly mental health segment. She has been a contributing writer for about.com and UrbanBalance.com, covering her work with couples in counseling, anxiety coping tools, and understanding depression. In her downtime, Leslie enjoys hot yoga, film, and spending time with her two sons, Quinton and Malcolm.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Aetna Better Health of Louisiana