Addressing Microaggressions When the Therapist Misses It in Real Time (3 CEU's)

TRAUMA, CULTURE & RELATIONAL DYNAMICS
Addressing Microaggressions When the Therapist Misses It in Real Time – 3 CEUs

Overview:
Even well-intentioned therapists can miss, misunderstand, minimize, or fail to recognize microaggressions during sessions. These moments may occur when a client shares an experience involving race, culture, identity, sexuality, religion, disability, immigration status, or other marginalized identities and the therapist unintentionally overlooks the significance of what occurred. In other situations, therapists themselves may unknowingly engage in microaggressive comments, assumptions, or responses that create hurt, distance, or rupture within the therapeutic relationship. Because these moments often unfold subtly and in real time, clinicians may only recognize what occurred after reflection, consultation, or feedback from clients. Unaddressed, these experiences can undermine trust, reinforce client experiences of invalidation, and negatively impact treatment.

In this presentation, Dr. Zairys Feliz, Ph.D., LCSW, participants will examine culturally responsive and relational approaches for addressing microaggressions after they have been missed or recognized retrospectively. Attendees will explore common reasons therapists miss these moments, including cognitive overload, discomfort, blind spots, defensiveness, assumptions, implicit bias, and limited awareness. The course will address common therapist reactions such as shame, avoidance, overcorrection, fear of saying the wrong thing, or pressure to immediately repair harm. Participants will learn practical strategies for recognizing missed moments, engaging in accountability without centering therapist discomfort, repairing ruptures, and using humility and self-reflection to strengthen therapeutic relationships. Through case examples and applied discussion, attendees will gain practical tools for navigating one of the most vulnerable and clinically important aspects of culturally responsive care.

Objectives:

1. Identify factors that contribute to therapists missing or unintentionally participating in microaggressive interactions during treatment.

2. Recognize emotional and relational processes that may emerge following missed or unaddressed microaggressions.

3. Apply culturally responsive repair strategies that support accountability, therapeutic alliance, and ongoing clinical growth.

Scope and Limitations Disclosure
This course provides licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals with an overview of culturally responsive approaches for addressing missed or unrecognized microaggressions within therapy. Participants will learn practical assessment, reflection, and intervention strategies relevant to outpatient clinical practice. This training does not provide comprehensive multicultural specialization or certification in diversity and inclusion training models. Participants are expected to apply course content within their professional scope of practice, ethical standards, and ongoing commitment to cultural humility and self-reflection.

Financial and Commercial Disclosure
The presenter has no relevant financial relationships or conflicts of interest to disclose. Any references to cultural frameworks, relational concepts, interventions, or resources are included solely for educational purposes. Participants are not required to purchase any additional materials to complete this course.

Refund Policy – Live CE Trainings (Virtual & In-Person)
All registrations for live CE trainings are subject to this refund policy. By enrolling, participants agree to these terms. Cancellations made 7 days or more prior to the scheduled training date are eligible for a full refund minus a $25 administrative fee, or participants may elect to receive a full credit toward a future training. Cancellations made less than 7 days before the scheduled training are non-refundable; however, registrations may be transferred to another eligible training or another attendee with prior written approval. Participants who fail to attend a scheduled live training, do not complete attendance requirements, or fail to satisfy course participation requirements are not eligible for refunds or CEUs. If a training is canceled or rescheduled by the provider, registrants will be offered either a full refund or the opportunity to transfer to another training. Refunds will not be issued if participants are unable to earn CEUs due to incomplete attendance, failure to complete required evaluations, or licensing board eligibility restrictions.