Communication Access in Mental Health Care: What Counselors, Case Managers, and Clinicians Need to Know Training
Thursday, May 7, 2026
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Online via Zoom
Join the Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® of Minnesota Center for Rural Behavioral Health for a 6-hour training that will examine how communication differences intersect with mental health assessment, engagement, and therapeutic relationships.
Cost: $115 (Register by March 20 for the early bird price of $105.)
Training online via Zoom – Recording available to those unable to attend the day of training.
This training is awaiting approval for 6 CEUs by the Minnesota boards of Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Behavioral Health and Therapy, and Psychology.
- Differentiate communication differences from cognitive, emotional, or motivational factors in mental health settings, reducing the risk of misinterpretation or over-pathologizing.
- Identify communication features that may affect assessment, engagement, and therapeutic alliance, including effortful or context-dependent verbal participation and dialectal variation.
- Apply practical strategies to reduce communication load and increase access during mental health interactions, while remaining within professional scope of practice.
- Recognize when collaboration or referral to speech-language pathology is indicated, and describe the distinct and complementary roles of SLPs and mental health professionals across the lifespan.
- Integrate principles of equity, cultural responsiveness, and neurodiversity-affirming practice to support inclusive, ethical care for individuals with communication differences, particularly in rural or underserved contexts.
Meet Your Presenter:
Kristin Berndt, M.S., CCC-SLP 
Kristin E. Berndt, M.S., CCC-SLP, is the Director of the Center for Communication Sciences and Disorders and an adjunct instructor at Minnesota State University, Mankato, where she oversees clinical education, internship coordination, and simulation-based learning in speech-language pathology. A certified and licensed speech-language pathologist, she brings extensive experience across healthcare, educational, and community settings, with a focus on interprofessional collaboration and equitable access to care. Her teaching and scholarship center on communication access, clinical readiness, and culturally responsive practice, with particular attention to supporting professionals working in rural and underserved contexts. She is currently completing her EdD in Curriculum and Instruction at Winona State University.
Register Today
Not able to attend May 7th?
Register for the recorded session and a link to view the recorded session will be emailed to you after the May 7th training.
Registration Questions: Email workforce@mnsu.edu or call 507-389-1094
Training Questions: Email elizabeth.harstad.3@mnsu.edu
Center for Workforce Professional Education
workforce@mnsu.edu
