Description

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

1. Identify key mental health disparities affecting gay African
   American men in the U.S. military and the structural factors that
   contribute to these inequities.
2. Explain how Minority Stress Theory, Intersectionality, and
   Cognitive Behavioral Therapy informs culturally affirming mental
   health practice.
3. Apply components of a culturally affirming clinical framework to
   improve assessment, treatment, and engagement in military and
   healthcare settings.

Presenter Bio

Sha’tera D. Cooper, MSW, LCSWA is a Doctor of Social Work candidate whose scholarship and practice focus on advancing equity in mental health care for marginalized populations.
She earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Fayetteville State University and her Master of Social Work from the University of Louisville and is currently completing her Doctor of Social Work degree with a concentration in clinical and systems-level practice. Sha’tera currently serves as a Site Coordinator with Communities in Schools, where she
works within secondary school settings to support student well-being, academic engagement, and access to community-based services. She is also a military veteran, a
background that strongly informs her professional identity and scholarly interests. Her research interests focus on mental health disparities within the military and LGBTQ+
communities, with particular attention to the intersecting impacts of race, sexual orientation, discrimination, and institutional culture on mental health outcomes and
engagement in care. Her capstone project examines mental health challenges among gay African American men in the U.S. military and proposes a culturally affirming clinical
framework that integrates Minority Stress Theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Intersectionality to improve clinical practice and organizational responsiveness.
Sha’tera’s work emphasizes translating research into actionable guidance for clinicians, supervisors, and organizational leaders. She is committed to advancing culturally
responsive, equity-centered practice through applied scholarship, professional presentations, and practice-focused dissemination.

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.