1 Hour / 1 CE

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Health Disparities: Implications for Mood, Behavior, Cognition, Physical Health, and Criminality is presented by Jerrod Brown, PhD.

This badge-earning program can be shared digitally on platforms like LinkedIn or your resume and counts towards a certificate. Enroll in this program to earn credit towards the Integrated Behavioral Health Certificate and share your new digital credentials with prospective employers and colleagues.

Health disparities are a serious concern that can greatly affect the overall health and well-being of individuals. However, there are ways to make the message more powerful and effective. 

This program explores how health disparities impact clinical and forensic mental health populations. This program also discusses the implications for physical health, behavior, mood, and cognition and focuses on how health disparities affect intake, screening, and intervention from a clinical and forensic mental health perspective. 

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe health disparities and other related topics
  • 2 Describe the causes and consequences of health disparities among clinical and forensic mental health populations
  • 3 Describe intake, screening, and intervention strategies through a clinical and forensic mental health lens
  • 4 Describe empirically based research findings as it pertains to the clinical and forensic mental health aspects of health disparities

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for individuals specializing in psychology, counseling, or social work who are engaged in clinical or forensic practice. It is suitable for those seeking to enhance their expertise and knowledge in mental health, regardless of their specific role or background.


    Examples of Relevant Professionals:
    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Psychologists
    • Counselors
    • Social Workers
    • Forensic Evaluators
    • Clinical Therapists
    • Case Managers

  • Experience Level

    This training is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of experience.

    • Beginner: Participants are new to the concepts of health disparities and their impact on clinical and forensic mental health, seeking foundational knowledge and terminology.

    • Intermediate: Participants have some experience with health disparities in practice and are looking to deepen their understanding of causes, consequences, and evidence-based strategies for intake, screening, and intervention.

    • Advanced: Participants have extensive experience addressing health disparities in clinical and forensic settings and are interested in advanced research findings and complex case applications.

  • Practice Setting

    Practitioners work across clinical and forensic environments serving diverse, often underserved populations, delivering intake, screening, intervention, and evaluation within multidisciplinary teams. Settings span outpatient and inpatient care, carceral and court-linked programs, and community-based services where health disparities inform assessment, risk decisions, and treatment planning.


    Examples of Practice Settings:
    • Community mental health clinics and outpatient centers
    • Hospital inpatient units, emergency departments, and consult-liaison services
    • Integrated primary care/behavioral health programs
    • Private or group practices
    • Correctional facilities and detention centers
    • Court clinics and forensic evaluation services
    • Substance use treatment programs
    • VA and military behavioral health services
    • Telehealth and virtual clinics

Presented By

Jerrod Brown, PhD Pathways Counseling Center, Inc.

Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. Jerrod is also the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). Jerrod has also provided consultation services to a number of caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, trauma, and other life adversities, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. Jerrod has completed four separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Neuropsychology, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Other Health Disabilities (OHD), and Traumatic-Brain Injuries (TBI). Jerrod has also conducted over 200 workshops, webinars, and on-demand training for various organizations and professional and student audiences. In 2021, Jerrod completed a post-doctoral certificate in Leadership and Organizational Strategy from Walden University and a Professional Certificate in Forensic Psychology from San Diego State University Global Campus. Currently, Jerrod is pursuing a graduate certificate in Neuroscience and Law from Michigan State University. Jerrod has published several articles and book chapters and recently co-edited the book Forensic Mental Health: A Source Guide for Professionals (Brown & Weinkauf, 2018) with Erv Weinkauf. Jerrod is also regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Jerrod Brown, PhD

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Introduction to Health Disparities
    - Definition and significance
    - Broader effects on health and well-being

  • Impact on Clinical and Forensic Mental Health Populations
    - Consequences for physical health
    - Effects on behavior, mood, and cognition

  • Practice Implications
    - Considerations for intake and screening
    - Intervention strategies within clinical and forensic settings

Earning a Certificate

This is a badge-earning program, which means it will help you earn a certificate that can be showcased on digital platforms like LinkedIn.
View Certificates

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.