Cultivating Cultural Humility in Practice: A Critical Self-reflection Journey (Fall 2026)

Embark on this self-evaluation and self-critique journey with us. This training is an introduction to people who want to learn some tools on being more culturally humble and responsive by examining their own biases, beliefs, and cultural identities. We will explore together how providers can begin to work towards consciously demonstrating cultural humility in their client interactions to best support people experiencing problem gambling and co-occurring disorders. You must stay the full length of the training to receive CE credit.

Cost: Free

Location: Virtual

Number of CE(s): 2.0

Instructional Level: Introductory

Agenda:

1. Introduction to Cultural Humility 
2. Cultural Humility Identity Activity 
3. Implicit Bias
4. Cultural Formulation, Including Case Study
5. Stigma
6. Closing Thoughts and Discussion on Actions to Take After Completing This Training

Learning Objectives: 

As a result of completing this training, you will be better prepared to…

1. Demonstrate an understanding of cultural humility, bias, and stigma by identifying one example of each. 
2. Explain how to utilize the Cultural Formulation tool.
3. Identify tools to help participants examine their own bias, critically self-reflect, and gain more self-knowledge.
4. Describe the principles of demonstrating cultural humility in problem gambling treatment.

Instructor Bios:

Instructor #1: Heather M. Gray, PhD; Dr. Gray is the Director of Academic Affairs at the Division on Addiction at Cambridge Health Alliance, an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and leads the Division on Addiction’s efforts to develop and implement M-TAC. She has been working in the addiction research and education field for over 15 years. Her research focuses on the development of, and recovery from, addictive disorders. Dr. Gray’s recent research includes examining the link between problem gambling and self-harm, and how people gamble and respond to interventions designed to promote responsible gambling. She is Editor-In-Chief of the Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS; https://basisonline.org/) research blog. Dr. Gray earned her PhD in Social Psychology from Harvard University and completed a post-doctoral fellowship with the Boston University Health and Disability Research Institute.

Instructor #2: Shantel Mercedes, MPH; Shantel is a Program Associate at Health Resources in Action and works on the Training and Education team for M-TAC. She has 3 years of experience working in the gambling addiction field and has facilitated online trainings on a variety of trainings related to Gambling Disorder. She is particularly interested in the cultural significance and influence regarding common problem gambling behaviors. She has a BA in Public Health and Health Equity from Mills College and an MPH from Simmons University.

Instructor #3: Shaun/Sienna Bries, LICSW; Shaun/Sienna is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and EMDRIA Certified Clinician practicing in Massachusetts, providing individual, family, and group therapy for adolescents and adults. They are formally trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), the Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC) Model, Psychological First Aid (PFA), Post-Traumatic Stress Management (PTSM), and Sensory Motor Arousal and Regulation Treatment (SMART). Shaun/Sienna is a two-spirited individual who earned their Master of Social Work in Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency from the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto. In addition to their clinical work, they are an independent researcher trained in Participatory Action Research (PAR), with a focus on joining or developing projects aimed at decolonizing trauma work. Outside of work, Shaun/Sienna enjoys video gaming, reading, writing poetry, hiking, attending live musical performances—including symphonies and musicals— taking silks classes, boxing, and traveling. They share their life with their husband and two dogs, Paxton and Preston.

Approval Statements:

• NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals – This course has been approved by the Division on Addiction, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #84058, the Division on Addiction is responsible for all aspects of the programing.
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW) – This program has been approved for 2.0 Social Work Continuing Education hours for relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number D 92673-2.
• Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) – The Massachusetts Technical Assistance Center for Problem Gambling Treatment is authorized by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to sponsor, conduct or approve continuing education programs for alcohol and drug counselors/assistants (LADCs). This program offers 2.0 continuing education credits.

Funding Statement: The Division on Addiction and Health Resources in Action collaborate to produce M-TAC trainings, courses, and resources, which are funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Office of Problem Gambling Services. The instructors have no financial interests that might create a conflict of interest in the development or delivery of this training. Click here to access our full list of our funders and conflict of interest/grievance policies and procedures.