Implicit and Cognitive Biases in Mental Health

Michael Wiederman, PhD

$39.00

CE Credit Hours : 3
Intermediate Learning Level Learning Level : Intermediate
Video Course Video
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Course Abstract

Implicit and Cognitive Biases in Mental Health is a 3-hour online video-based continuing education (CE) course that explores what implicit and cognitive biases are, why they’re important, and how to address them.

Do you experience biases that interfere with your effectiveness as a mental health clinician? By nature of being human, the answer is “yes.” The human mind contains several forms of well-documented cognitive biases, and these can play out in therapy in unexpected and unwanted ways. Unfortunately, these biases are true blind spots in that they only implicitly affect thinking and judgment.

This comprehensive video course by Michael Wiederman explores the nature of implicit and cognitive biases within mental health clinicians. It emphasizes understanding biases – both conscious and unconscious – while reflecting on ethical implications, stereotypes, and practical strategies to improve therapeutic effectiveness and cultural humility.

Part 1: Stereotypes, Microaggressions, and Implicit Bias 

Part 1 includes discussion of prejudice, discrimination, stereotypes, and how clinical mental health professional organizations address them in their codes of ethics. Stereotypes are discussed with regard to their cognitive foundation and the extent to which they might be accurate. Microaggressions, microinsults, and microinvalidations are described, with video examples. Last, implicit bias is described, along with its theoretical cause and how implicit bias is assessed. For all of the forms of bias and discrimination addressed in Part 1, Dr. Wiederman illustrates how that form of bias could potentially affect the counseling relationship.

Part 2: Inherent Cognitive Biases, Preventing and Remediating Biases, and Enhancing Therapy by Explicitly Addressing Bias

Part 2 includes discussion of 19 specific inherent cognitive biases that all humans experience in their judgment and decision-making, each with examples of how that bias may show up in therapy. Discussion then shifts to several evidence-based strategies and practices to prevent and remediate the effects of bias in therapy. Last, Dr. Wiederman discusses how both the therapeutic alliance and therapeutic effectiveness could be enhanced through several means of addressing bias explicitly with clients.

Two handouts are provided: one for use by clinicians and one for use by clients.

Course #31-70 | 2026 | 20 posttest questions

Learning Objectives

  1. Define prejudice, discrimination, stereotypes, microaggressions, implicit bias, and inherent cognitive biases
  2. Explain how implicit biases are formed, assessed, and may impact therapy
  3. Describe at least five inherent cognitive biases and how they may negatively affect therapy outcomes
  4. Specify at least three strategies for minimizing negative effects of bias in therapy
  5. Identify at least three ways to explicitly address bias with clients
  6. Describe at least three examples of teaching clients about their own inherent cognitive biases

Course Directions

This video course provides instant access to the course video, course handout, and the CE test. The CE test is open book (you can print the test to mark your answers on it while watching the course video).

Successful completion of this course involves passing an online test (80% required, 3 chances to take) and we ask that you also complete a brief course evaluation.

About the Author(s)

Michael Wiederman, PhD : Find out More

Michael Wiederman, PhD, is a psychologist and serves as the Director of Continuing Education (CE) for Professional Development Resources. He was a tenured clinical psychology professor for 20 years, teaching a wide range of courses and publishing more than 250 articles, chapters, and books. Over the past 30 years Michael delivered more than 4,000 class sessions and presentations.

In 2015, Michael left his tenured faculty position to provide professional development as the inaugural Director of Faculty Development at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville. There he created and executed workshops and longitudinal leadership development programs, provided individual coaching and interventions for teams, and taught the popular course Leadership in Medicine. From 2020 to 2022 Michael served as the inaugural Director of Leadership and Professional Development in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where he continues to hold a graduate faculty appointment.

Michael has written a blog for Psychology Today since 2022 and continues to offer workshops and coaching through his company Mindful Professional Development.

Disclosure

Financial: Receives author compensation from Professional Development Resources, Inc.
Nonfinancial: No relevant nonfinancial relationships exist.

CE Information

Counseling

National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Approved Continuing Education Provider

Professional Development Resources (PDR) has been approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5590. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. PDR is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Professional Development Resources is also approved by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners; the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling; the Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and MFTs; the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board for Professional Counselors; the Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors; the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice; the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors (#MHC-0135 - Note: New York counselors will receive 3 continuing education credits for completing this self-study course); the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Family Therapist Board; the South Carolina Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists (#193); the Tennessee Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists; the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors; the West Virginia Board of Examiners in Counseling; and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635 – completions are reported within 24 hours).

Marriage and Family Therapy

American Psychological Association Approved Sponsor

Professional Development Resources is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Professional Development Resources maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Professional Development Resources is also approved by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC ACEP #5590); the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB #1046, ACE Program); the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners; the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling; the Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and MFTs; the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board for Marriage & Family Therapy; the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice; the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists (#MFT-0100 - Note: New York MFTs will receive 3 continuing education credit(s) for completing this self-study course); the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Family Therapist Board; the South Carolina Board of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors, and Psycho-Educational Specialists (#193); the Tennessee Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapists; the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists (#114); and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635 – completions are reported within 24 hours).

Psychology

American Psychological Association Approved Sponsor

Professional Development Resources, Inc. is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Professional Development Resources maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Professional Development Resources is also approved by the Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners; the Florida Board of Psychology; the Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists; the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board for Psychology; the Michigan Board of Psychology; the New Hampshire Board of Psychologists; the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of self-study continuing education for licensed psychologists (#PSY-0145); the North Carolina Psychology Board; the North Dakota State Board of Psychologist Examiners; the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology; the Tennessee Board of Examiners of Psychology; the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists; the Wyoming Board of Psychology; and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635 – completions are reported within 24 hours).

School Psychology

American Psychological Association Approved Sponsor

Professional Development Resources is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Professional Development Resources maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Professional Development Resources is also approved by the Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners; the Florida Board of Psychology and Office of School Psychology; the Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychologists; the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board for Psychology; the Michigan Board of Psychology; the New Hampshire Board of Psychologists; the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of self-study continuing education for licensed psychologists (#PSY-0145); the North Carolina Psychology Board; the North Dakota State Board of Psychologist Examiners; the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology; the Tennessee Board of Examiners of Psychology; the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists; the Wyoming Board of Psychology; and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635 – completions are reported within 24 hours).

Social Work

Association of Social Work Boards ACE Approved continuing education provider

Professional Development Resources, #1046, 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: 6/12/2025 - 6/12/2028. Social workers completing this course receive 3 clinical continuing education credits. ACE format: Reading-based asynchronous distance learning.

Professional Development Resources is also approved by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners; the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling; the Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and MFTs; the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board for Social Workers; the Michigan Board of Social Work; the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice; the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers (#SW-0664 - Note: New York social workers will receive 3 continuing education credit(s) for completing this self-study course); the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners; the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Family Therapist Board; the South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners; the Tennessee Board of Social Workers; the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners (#5678); the West Virginia Board of Social Work; and is CE Broker compliant (#50-1635 – completions are reported within 24 hours).

Customer Testimonials

G.T. (MH)

I loved that you could turn the transcript on to read along while listening/watching. The speaker is very engaging and makes the topic fun to learn!

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