Intercultural Supervision: Navigating Cultural Difference in the Supervisory Relationship
The concept of culture is both universally applicable and simultaneously elusive to define. To be effective in our practice, we need to better frame and navigate cultural similarities and differences: intercultural competence. Research indicates that most people, regardless of identity (race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, etc.) tend to focus primarily on cultural similarities and aren’t as effective at engaging and leveraging deeper aspects of difference. In this workshop, we will deepen and complicate our understanding of how we navigate cultural similarities and differences through theory and applicable content. These foundational cultural concepts are applicable not just to the supervisory relationship, but also to clinical, team, and organizational dynamics.
In this course, participants will have the unique opportunity to take the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI), a theoretically grounded, cross-culturally valid, and reliable tool for assessing intercultural competence. The workshop content is dependent on completion of the IDI assessment as aggregate group results will be presented and interpreted in the workshop.
After completing this workshop participants will be able to:
- Identify mental health, identity, and cultural concepts relevant to behavioral health practice and supervision
- Develop an understanding of intercultural competence: the capability to work effectively across cultural difference
- Distinguish between the five developmental orientations to engaging cultural differences as outlined by the Intercultural Development Continuum® (IDC)
After completing this workshop participants will be able to:
- Identify mental health, identity, and cultural concepts relevant to behavioral health practice and supervision
- Develop an understanding of intercultural competence: the capability to work effectively across cultural difference
- Distinguish between the five developmental orientations to engaging cultural differences as outlined by the Intercultural Development Continuum® (IDC)
Continuing Education Hour Pre-Approvals
Participants in this workshop series are eligible to receive up to 6 CE Hours pre-approved by the following Minnesota licensing boards:
- Board of Social Work (BoSW): (#CEP-204)
- Board of Marriage & Family Therapy (BMFT): 6 Supervision CEs, 6 Cultural Competency CEs (#2023-030); this workshop must be completed to meet 30-hour supervision training requirements to become a LMFT Board-Approved Supervisor (Minn. Rule 5300.0160)
- Board of Behavioral Health & Therapy (BBHT): (#2023.CE.052)
For participants needing clinical clock hours (CCH), this workshop meets the requirements, as defined by the Board of Social Work:
- Social work values and ethics, including cultural context, diversity, and social policy: 4 CCH
- Culturally specific clinical assessment and intervention: 2 CCH
Center for Practice Transformation – University of Minnesota has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7404. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Center for Practice Transformation – University of Minnesota is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
About the Presenter
Omkar Sawardekar, MSW, LICSW
Omkar Sawardekar (he/him), MSW, LICSW, is a Therapist, Trainer, Intercultural Coach, and Organizational Consultant. Omkar supports his clients to live into their respective missions more holistically by integrating the lenses of identity, culture, mental health, and trauma. Driven by the tenets that the relational container is the foundation for transformative change and that the most impactful practices grow from interdisciplinary methodologies, Omkar is committed to working collaboratively to promote culturally-responsive approaches. Throughout his work with individuals, groups, and organizations, Omkar is drawn to addressing the most complex cultural and organizational challenges.