Culture shapes every part of mental health care, from how symptoms appear to how clinicians classify illness and the language used to tell the story of an illness. How can clinicians grow their cultural competence around perceptions of mental health services and cultural practices tied to well-being? This training introduces the Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI), a strengths-based, structured interview that invites clinicians into the world of clients with distinct cultural identities and experiences. You will learn ways to assess help seeking, how clients view the problem, and how cultures and communities respond to mental health conditions.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to
- Identify at least five core components of the Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI).
- Explain two benefits of using the CFI in clinical practice.
- Discover methods of facilitating the CFI with clients who have unique cultural identities.
Syllabus:
Introduction
Objective 1: Identify at least five core components of the Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI).
- Rationale for cultural assessment in mental health
- Video: Learning About Cultural Identity
- The Explanatory Model
- Kleinman’s 8 Questions
Objective 2: Explain two benefits of using the CFI in clinical practice.
- What is the CFI?
- Handouts: CFI, CFI Discussion Questions, CFI Table
- CFI Domains and questions
- Supplemental modules review
- Counselor self-awareness
Objective 3: Discover methods of facilitating the CFI with clients who have unique cultural identities.
- Grand case study: Martin
- Cultural definition of the problem
- Cultural perception of cause, context, and support
- Cultural factors affecting self-coping and past help seeking
- Cultural factors affecting current help seeking
- Video resource: Brief CFI demonstration
Q&A, resources, closing
Social workers completing this course receive 1.5 General/Cultural Competency asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 1.5 hours of General/Cultural Competency continuing education training.
Instructor: Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW
Recording Date: February 4, 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 1.5hrs Cultural Competency, General 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.
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Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com