Overview

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) show higher rates of mental health concerns than the general population. However, they have been historically underserved by behavioral health agencies. One reason they are commonly turned away from mental health services is because clinicians express a lack of knowledge and confidence to work with this population.   Training activities offered in this track will focus on adaptation of commonly used therapeutic strategies to be utilized with clients with IDD and co-occurring mental health concerns.  Training will focus on increasing skills and knowledge that providers can immediately use with their clients and share with their colleagues to better serve this population.

• Increase knowledge and skills in treating co-occurring mental health conditions among individuals with IDD, to increase clinicians’ confidence in serving this population.
• Apply adaptations of commonly used therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for individuals with IDD to aid them in processing information and behavioral strategies.
• Include voices of those with lived experience to improve care for historically underserved communities, highlighting the value and importance of serving this population.

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About the Mental Health Institute

The purpose of the Mental Health Institute is to train and expand the knowledge base of the behavioral health workforce to increase equity and inclusion for underserved populations in Washington state.

Specifically, the Institute is designed to provide training and support to Washington State health care providers who work with: 

• Children, youth and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs
• Underserved (e.g., racial/ethnic/gender/sexual minority) populations
• Individuals managing co-occurring disorders

Each training track will provide multiple sessions of live teleconference workshops focused on a specific topic area related to the track. The sessions will use interactive teaching strategies like breakout rooms, role plays, audiovisuals, etc., to foster an environment of a collaborative learning community. Lived experiences from impacted communities will be highlighted throughout the workshops as a pedagogical strategy. Considerations around diversity, equity, and inclusion and social determinants of health will be addressed in each track.

You are not required to attend every session within a particular track, and you may register for sessions within any track.