Are Therapist Conferences Elitist? An interview with Linda Thai, LMSW

Curt and Katie interview Linda Thai on her experiences as a conference attendee, keynote speaker, and educator. We discussed the need for more accessible, community-centric, and culturally humble education as well as how to more effectively share knowledge. The limitations of traditional educational models (which Linda calls the Continuing Education Industrial Complex) are discussed as well as how conferences can be exclusive or elitist. We explore how to best access continuing education and take advantage of all types of educational opportunities.

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

In this podcast episode, we look at how privilege and elitism show up in therapist conferences.

Katie recently took one of Linda Thai’s courses and was fascinated by the way that she was able to make an engaging virtual course. We reached out and requested she share her wisdom with us and we found ourselves talking about the nature of continuing education.  

Why should therapists attend (or not attend) mental health conferences?

·      If you understand what type of conference you are attending and take advantage of that opportunity (to learn, build community, or something else) attending mental health conferences can be beneficial to therapists

·      There can be an inherent elitism in conferences, both in who is able to comfortably attend as well as who can participate as speakers or in supporting conferences

·      Continuing education can also have bias and privilege white (typically female) therapists, especially those who have been in private practice for many years.

·      Conferences are often events designed to inspire and create community, the learning experiences may not be as deep as therapists need to truly get what they need as clinicians

What are the primary concerns in continuing education for mental health professionals?

·      What qualifies as continuing education seems limited (i.e., lived experience is discounted as valid education)

·      There is a bureaucracy within continuing education approval that makes it difficult for speakers and conference hosts to be able to allow for interactivity and emergence within the workshops

·      Too often the same speakers are elevated and there is a need to center lived experience and marginalized voices to co-create collective learning and liberation

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