Immigration and Mental Health:
A Culturally-Informed Approach for Mental Health Clinicians
& Social and Professional Networking
Speaker: Mariela Shibley, PsyD
3 APA CE Credits
February 7, 2026
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Registration 8:00 - 8:30 am
San Diego Psychological Association
(in the United Way Building)
4699 Murphy Canyon Rd. Suite 105
San Diego, CA 92123
REGISTRATION FEES:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This workshop explores the intersection of immigration status and mental health through a culturally-informed and evidence-based lens. Designed for licensed psychologists practicing at the doctoral level, the course examines how immigration status—ranging from undocumented to U.S. citizenship—impacts access to services, legal protections, and overall psychological well-being. Special emphasis is placed on humanitarian relief options such as asylum, VAWA, U and T visas, and how these pathways relate to psychosocial stressors among immigrant populations.
The workshop will be delivered in a lecture-style format using a structured PowerPoint presentation, interspersed with brief Q&A sessions to encourage reflective engagement. Clinical case examples and quotes from affected individuals will be used to contextualize theoretical material. Attendees will review cultural constructs relevant to immigrant experiences (e.g., acculturation stress, intergenerational conflict, disenfranchised grief), and examine culturally competent and culturally humble frameworks of practice, including the ADDRESSING model—which outlines key identity factors such as age, ethnicity, and gender—and the MECA framework, which emphasizes a multidimensional, ecological approach to understanding immigrant families.
This workshop is particularly relevant to psychologists conducting therapy or forensic evaluations with immigrant populations. It will help clinicians recognize psychological symptoms that emerge in the context of legal uncertainty and family separation, and tailor their assessments and interventions accordingly.
Empirical literature supports the utility of culturally responsive mental health care and the psychological impact of immigration-related stressors (e.g., Falicov, 1995; Hays, 2007; Tervalon & Murray-GarcÃa, 1998; Berry, 1997). Limitations include that the presentation is educational and not a substitute for legal training. Additionally, psychological distress related to immigration is multifaceted, and not all individuals will respond similarly. Risks include the potential for misapplication of cultural models without sufficient clinician reflection or supervision. However, the course provides a foundation for understanding and addressing the needs of this growing and vulnerable population with ethical and cultural sensitivity.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Identify five immigration classifications—such as undocumented status, lawful permanent residency, DACA, etc.—and explain their implications for access to mental health care and psychosocial well-being
- Analyze the cultural and systemic barriers immigrant populations face when accessing mental health services, and apply two culturally-informed frameworks (i.e., ADDRESSING, MECA) to assessment and intervention strategies.
- Evaluate the psychological impact of immigration-related stressors—such as acculturation, family separation, and disenfranchised grief—on children and families, and formulate appropriate clinical responses rooted in attachment theory and trauma-informed care.
For more information about the conference, contact Diana at sdpa@sdpsych.org
Conflicts of Interest: As an APA-approved sponsor of continuing education, San Diego Psychological Association is committed to the identification and resolution of potential conflicts of interest in the planning, promotion, delivery, and evaluation of continuing education. Please review the conflict of interest guideline below.
APA Guidelines Regarding Potential Conflicts of Interest
Consistent with concepts outlined in the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, potential conflicts of interest occur when an individual assumes a professional role in the planning, promotion, delivery, or evaluation of continuing education where personal, professional, legal, financial, or other interests could reasonably be expected to impair his or her objectivity, competence, or effectiveness.
CE Grievance Procedure
SDPA is fully committed to conducting all activities in strict conformance with the APAs Ethical Principles of Psychologists. SDPA will comply with all legal and ethical responsibilities to be non-discriminatory in promotional activities, program content and in the treatment of program participants.
See CE Grievance Procedure.
Attendance Policy: CE Credit and Certificates will not be issued to those who arrive later than 10 minutes or leave early from any course scheduled time. This policy is strictly enforced to ensure compliance with APA Guidelines.
Cancellation Policy: No refund will be given to any registered individual who is a no-show to a course. Any individual canceling within 72 hours of a course will be refunded 50% of the course fee.
American Psychological AssociationThe San Diego Psychological Association (SDPA) is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. SDPA maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
LCSW, LFMT, LEP & LPCC
In California, APA approved CE’s are valid for licensed psychologists, licensed school psychologists, LCSW, LMFT, LEP & LPCC licensees. Though APA is a national organization, the out of state licensee should check with their state governing board to make sure that APA approved CE's are valid in their state for their license.
See SDPA Website Continuing Education Policies.
