Video includes Symposium welcome and introductions. Navigate to 12:20 in the video for beginning of keynote presentation.

Dr. Margarita Alegria has been instrumental in conducting research to eliminate disparities in mental health care. During this presentation, she will discuss major challenges of working across ethnic boundaries and propose alternative approaches to overcome them.

The therapeutic relationship has long been recognized as an essential factor in facilitating client engagement and retention in care. We know the challenges of establishing a relationship are amplified when cultural differences exist between client and provider, as an unfamiliarity and/or discomfort with a client’s beliefs, practices, understanding of etiology, acceptable approaches of treatment, and communication style create additional complexity. Recent studies have highlighted the unfortunate manifestations of such cultural disconnects, including: the presence of diagnostic bias with clients of color; and, structural and interpersonal barriers that get in the way of establishing rapport.

This presentation is designed to help improve shared decision making in the clinical encounter. Dr. Alegria will cover a variety of topics, including perspective taking; frequent attributional errors that providers make; and increasing receptivity to client participation and collaboration in decision making. Ways to improve the ability to listen, empathize and ask questions effectively will be discussed as will increased awareness of provider perceptions and misperceptions. These skills are not only important for patients and providers, but for everyone, particularly when interacting with those who are different in culture, background, and life circumstances.