Workshop Summary: Are you compassionate and other-oriented? As a counselor, there is an assumption that we are caring, kind, and inclusive. A key component of a Diversity Equity and Inclusive framework is the concept of cultural humility. Cultural humility is a lifelong commitment to self-evaluation and self-critique whereby the individual learns about another’s culture and starts by examining her/his own beliefs and cultural identities. Many counselors minimize what they bring into the counseling room! It is important to own our power dynamics and imbalance in the therapeutic relationship, embracing the influence of culture, language, safety, and humility.

Examining the key constructs of humility will broaden our transformation, expand our skill and ability regarding embracing difference, and affirm our commitment to diversity. The counselor is essential in cultivating change individually, intra-professionally, and systemically. “Remember, any change we want to see, let the change begin with me!”  

Learning Objectives: Participants will…
1) Be able to identify and define cultural humility.

2) Be able to explain the concept and central tenets of cultural humility and the interrelationship to inclusivity, diversity, equity and inclusion.

3) Be able to identify counseling best practices for creating an inclusive environment.

4) Be able to identify the resources to become more culturally empathic, accountable, and responsive.

Speaker Bio: LaConda G. Ambrose Fanning, Psy.D, is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner, and Registered Nurse. She holds several master's degrees and a doctorate in clinical psychology from Regent University with a concentration in organizational consultation and supervision. Dr. Fanning is a part of the Eastern Virginia Medical School with the Office of Graduate Medical Education, where she serves as the Director of the Assessment and Mentorship Program, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, the Associate Director of the Academic Fellowship Program, and has a Faculty Appointment with Internal Medicine. Dr. Fanning is an executive coach with three designations: physician, wellness, and life coach with the Certified Coaches Alliance. Dr Fanning is the recipient of the 2023 EVMS President’s Champion Diversity and Inclusion Award. She has a special interest in health equity, diversity and inclusion, religious coping, and generational effects of trauma. In the community, she serves as an Ordained Pastor within a local congregation and the Immediate Past President on the Executive Board of the Virginia Counselors Association. Dr. Fanning is the 2023 Virginia Counselors Association Counselor of the Year recipient and received the 2023 American Counseling Association Southern Region Chairs Leadership Award.