3 Hours / 3 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on To do or not to do? Ethical Issues in Cross-Cultural Assessment is presented by Veronica Bordes Edgar, Ph.D., ABPP, and Beatriz MacDonald Wer, Ph.D., in partnership with The American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP).

This program guides participants on integrating equity, justice, and inclusion in cross-cultural assessments. Through case studies, participants learn various ways to manage ethical issues. Participants benefit from a discussion of race-based norms in assessment, learn alternative strategies, and understand the nuances of telehealth services.

Major ethical and legal documents, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the 21st Century Cures Act, are reviewed. 

Issues of equity, justice, inclusion, intersectionality, and diversity impact all clinical psychological and neuropsychological evaluation procedures. Sociocultural factors can impact outcomes from case conceptualization through diagnostic formulations to recommendations and feedback. To practice within the APA ethical guidelines, we must strive to be aware of these factors and how they may interact with the assessment process.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe the main ethical guidelines and documents related to the practice of cross-cultural assessments
  • 2 Describe the importance of the intersectionality of ethics and sociocultural factors in the practice of cross-cultural assessments
  • 3 Describe possible ethical dilemmas that may arise when conducting cross-cultural assessments and ways to manage these
  • 4 Describe ethical guidelines and considerations centered in equity, justice, and inclusion when practicing cross-cultural assessment services

Training Instructors:

Veronica Bordes Edgar, PhD, ABPP

Veronica Bordes Edgar, PhD, ABPP

Veronica Bordes Edgar, PhD, ABPP is a board certified neuropsychologist and Associate Professor with joint faculty appointments in Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center. She serves as a bilingual Pediatric Neuropsychologist at Children’s Health and is Co-Director for the Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She earned her PhD from Arizona State University after completing her internship at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School.

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Beatriz MacDonald Wer, PhD

Beatriz MacDonald Wer, PhD

Dr. Beatriz (Tish) MacDonald Wer is a clinical neuropsychologist and Assistant Professor UT Southwestern Medical Center and Children's Medical Center Dallas. Dr. MacDonald founded the Multicultural Excellence in Neuropsychology Training and Evaluation (MENTE) Program at UNM Hospitals and co-founded the Inclusive Excellence Program in the Psychology Division at Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine. Both programs are dedicated to providing clinical training, research, community services, and clinical service delivery to individuals and families from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.

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  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for mental health professionals, psychologists, social workers, and other helping professionals who wish to integrate principles of equity, justice, and inclusion into their cross-cultural assessment practices. It is particularly relevant for those specializing in psychological assessment, multicultural counseling, clinical psychology, and ethical practice with diverse populations.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Mental health professionals
    • Psychologists
    • Social workers
    • Counselors and therapists
    • Marriage and family therapists
    • School counselors
    • Professionals specializing in psychological assessment
    • Multicultural counseling specialists
    • Clinical psychologists

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of experience with cross-cultural assessment, equity, and ethical practice.

    • Beginner: Participants new to cross-cultural assessment or ethical guidelines will gain foundational knowledge of key legal and ethical documents, and an introduction to equity, justice, and inclusion in assessment.

    • Intermediate: Participants with some experience in cross-cultural assessment will deepen their understanding of managing complex ethical dilemmas, integrating sociocultural factors, and applying alternative strategies to race-based norms.

    • Advanced: Participants with extensive experience in cross-cultural assessment and ethical practice will refine their skills in nuanced case conceptualization, advanced application of intersectionality, and leadership in promoting equity and justice in assessment practices.

  • Practice Setting

    Practitioners work in interdisciplinary, client-centered assessment environments serving culturally and linguistically diverse populations, delivering services both in person and via telehealth. Practice is grounded in APA ethics and laws such as the ADA, IDEA, and 21st Century Cures Act, with explicit attention to equity, justice, inclusion, and sociocultural factors across the evaluation process.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Community mental health centers
    • Hospital-based clinics (inpatient and outpatient)
    • Private practice assessment services
    • School and district psychoeducational services
    • University counseling and training clinics
    • Integrated primary care/behavioral health settings
    • Telehealth/virtual assessment platforms
    • Forensic, court, and correctional services
    • Veterans/military health systems
    • Nonprofit and culturally specific community organizations
We are proud to partner with

American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)

American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)

We are proud to partner with The American Board of Professional Psychology for this training. The American Board of Professional Psychology serves the public by promoting the provision of quality psychological services through the examination and certification of professional psychologists engaged in specialty practice. ABPP is the primary organization for Specialty Board Certification in Psychology. There are currently 15 Specialty Boards and one Subspecialty Board.

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CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).


Sponsorship Approval Statements

Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Palo Alto University maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073.