Description

Upon completion of this conference, participants will be able to:

1. Describe key research findings related to mental-health stigma, mistrust, and barriers to care in BIPOC communities.
2. Recognize how structural racism and historical trauma shape client engagement and clinical outcomes.
3. Apply healing-centered, culturally responsive strategies to reduce stigma in clinical, supervisory, and community practice.
4. Integrate framework-informed interventions that promote equity, trust, and sustained participation in mental-health services.

Presenter Bio

Sedetria Nicole Sumerall, BA, BSW, MSSW, DSW-C, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, scholar-practitioner, and community leader committed to advancing mental-health equity for historically marginalized communities. She is the owner of SNC Therapeutic Services and the founder of Weathering Storms Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing culturally responsive mental-health education, resources, and community-based supports.

Nicole is currently a doctoral candidate in the Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program at the University of Kentucky, where her research focuses on mental health among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. Her capstone project focuses on destigmatizing mental health and reducing structural, cultural, and systemic barriers to care, emphasizing culturally grounded, community-informed approaches. She is the recipient of a Park Community Foundation grant that supports this work and its translation into practice and community impact.

With a background in sociology and social work, Nicole integrates clinical expertise, research, leadership, and advocacy to bridge the gap between scholarship and practice. She regularly facilitates workshops and community conversations to promote healing, access, and equity, and brings a strengths-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive lens to all her work.

Delivery Method: Live Interactive Training via Zoom Video Conferencing

Credit Hours: 1.0 (ACE)

Target Audience: This conference is intended for social workers and students.

Accreditation: University of Kentucky College of Social Work, Provider # 1377, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 9/29/25-9/29/28. Social workers participating in this conference will receive up to 15 general continuing education credits.

Claiming CE Credit: Instructions for claiming CE credit will be disseminated at the beginning of each session.

Questions: If you have any questions regarding CE credit or to report a grievance, please contact Christina Krantz at Christina.Krantz@uky.edu. For technical assistance, please contact lmshelp@uky.edu.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these presentations are those of the individual presenters and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the University of Kentucky or the College of Social Work. The inclusion of any topics, perspectives, or discussions is intended for academic engagement and does not constitute endorsement by the institution.