This course asks mental health professionals to rethink clinical assessment through a social justice framework, bringing in social justice perspectives and an understanding of systemic influences on mental health. Participants look critically at how traditional assessment often overlooks those influences and perpetuates inequity in diagnosis and treatment. Building social justice principles into assessment helps participants conceptualize client concerns more accurately and avoid pathologizing responses to structural inequity, leading to more ethical, equitable and effective care.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to
- Describe social justice in clinical assessment, recognizing systemic inequalities, power dynamics, and sociocultural contexts that impact mental health.
- Recognize the limitations of traditional assessment approaches and apply key principles of cultural humility, strengths-based practice, and intersectionality to conduct more culturally responsive and socially just clinical assessments.
- Implement strategies to expand assessment domains beyond individual pathology, incorporating social determinants of health, systemic influences, and client expertise to develop a more holistic understanding of clients’ experiences.
Syllabus:
Introduction
- Overview of Learning Objectives
- Personal Reflection
- Traditional Assessment
Objective #1: Social justice in clinical assessment
- Defining Social Justice in Mental Health Care
- Systemic Inequalities
- Power Dynamics
- Sociocultural Contexts
Objective #2: Key Principles for Socially Just Assessment
- Cultural Humility
- Strengths-Based Focus
- Intersectionality
- Client Expertise
Objective #3: Expanding Assessment Domains
- Social Determinants of Health
- Systemic Influences
- Incorporating Client Expertise
Practical Implementation Strategies
Ethical Considerations
Closing Reflection & Thoughts/ Q&A
Social workers completing this course receive 3 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 3 Clinical continuing education training.
Instructor: Dr. Kara Beckett, DSW, LCSW
Recording Date: September 18, 2025
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3hrs Clinical continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
System Requirements: Firefox, Chrome, Brave, Safari, Edge on any modern operating system (Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS). A desktop browser is recommended. We do not provide support resources for issues encountered using a mobile device.
Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com