UMD Workshop - Working with African American Families

MetroMFT is proud to collaborate with the University of Maryland’s Couple and Family Therapy Program to offer a new workshop designed to deepen clinicians’ cultural responsiveness, clinical skill, and systemic awareness. This in-service training bridges theory, research, and real-world clinical practice.

Working with African American Families

Presented by Dr. Tiara Fennell

This foundational training invites clinicians to examine the historical, cultural, and systemic contexts that shape the lived experiences of African American families. Dr. Fennell will guide participants in exploring how intergenerational and historical trauma influence help-seeking behaviors, coping strategies, and engagement in therapy. Emphasis will be placed on moving beyond pathologizing frameworks and toward culturally grounded, strength-based clinical understanding.

Through a systemic and ecological lens, participants will reflect on race, identity, and power as essential components of ethical and effective clinical work. This training is ideal for therapists seeking to increase confidence, humility, and competence when working with African American individuals, couples, and families.

Continuing Education Information

This program is offered in a fully virtual format.

Participants who attend the full training and complete all required attendance verification and evaluation materials will receive a certificate of completion documenting 1.0 hour of professional training.

This training may be applied toward continuing education requirements for licensure renewal, consistent with individual licensing board guidelines. Participants are responsible for confirming applicability with their respective licensing board.

Certificates will be issued within seven (7) days following the training.