2 Hours / 2 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Counseling Immigrant Women of Color: Dos and Don'ts for Culturally Responsive Counseling is presented by S Anandavalli, PhD.

This program reviews the importance of centering cultural responsiveness in treating immigrant women of Color for their mental health concerns. Dr. Vali addresses socio-cultural and systemic challenges faced by this population and outlines how they impact the community's mental health. 

There is a discussion on intersectionality theory, its key tenets, and its application to conceptualize a client's mental health distress. Also, she provides culturally empowering treatment strategies that clinicians can apply in their work with this population. As part of sharing resources to facilitate treatment, a resource packet is provided to attendees to easily share with clients. There is a case study to help attendees apply their takeaways. 

The unique intersection of immigration, gender, and race is rarely discussed in mental health fields. With the increase in immigration and crises around the world, more professionals are likely to work with immigrant women of Color than not. Learning culturally responsive treatment strategies can help address the distress faced by this population. This program is intended for community workers, medical professionals, and allied professionals who work with immigrant women of Color.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe common socio-cultural challenges facing immigrant women of Color in the U.S., including xenophobia, fetishization, and racism
  • 2 Describe intersectionality theory to conceptualize client's mental health concerns
  • 3 Describe culturally responsive treatment strategies, including expressive arts approaches

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for mental health, medical, and allied professionals who support immigrant women of color. It is especially relevant for those committed to culturally responsive care and working in community-based or social service settings. The program equips participants with practical skills and knowledge to address the unique mental health and social needs of immigrant women of color.

  • Experience Level

    This training is applicable for all career stages: entry-level, mid-career, and experienced professionals.

  • Practice Setting

    • Mental health professionals (therapists, counselors, psychologists)

    • Medical professionals (doctors, nurses, physician assistants)

    • Allied professionals (social workers, case managers, community health workers)

    • Community workers and advocates

    • Staff at nonprofit organizations serving immigrant populations

    • Professionals in community mental health centers, medical clinics, and social service agencies

Presented By

S Anandavalli, PhD, Owner and Founder of Soulfulness Counseling, LLC

S Anandavalli (she, her, hers), PhD, NCC, LPCA, CCTP, is an award-winning, nationally recognized trauma-informed mental health counselor and counselor educator. She is the owner and founder of Soulfulness Counseling, LLC, a private practice dedicated to serving women who have been exposed to early childhood trauma. An expert on minority women’s mental health needs, she has served as a consultant and speaker for nonprofits. She is a leader and change agent within the counseling profession and has spearheaded several grant-funded research initiatives which have been published in top-tier peer-reviewed counseling and allied journals.

View More Programs from this Presenter
S Anandavalli, PhD

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Common challenges faced by immigrant women of Color

  • Intersectionality Theory and its application in counseling

  • Modern-day sociopolitical challenges faced by immigrant women of Color

  • Community Cultural Wealth Theory

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).



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) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 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), SW CPE 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 and 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. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #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. CONCEPT Professional Training 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.