Cultural Competence in First Responders, 1.5 CE
Friday, February 20th, 2026 from 12:00-1:30PM EST on Zoom
Presented by Elizabeth Riley, PhD, Mariya Leyderman, PsyD, & Lee Look, PhD
Join us for an introduction to clinical approaches to working with first responders. There has been a historical gap in clinical services available for this specialized population. Understand the culture and unique needs of Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement, and Corrections personnel in Kentucky. Further, understand how to utilize culturally informed assessment and treatment. Presenters Elizabeth Riley, Ph.D., Mariya Leyderman, PsyD, and Lee Look, Ph.D. will include their own experiences with treating these special public personnel. This course is intended as an introduction to this specialization. It will be lecture-based with discussion opportunities within the virtual environment. Information will be provided for further opportunities for specialized training. All mental health professionals are welcome. Skill Level: Intermediate
This workshop fulfills 1.5 of 3 credit hours for the KRS 319.032 social and cultural factors requirement for psychology professionals.
Workshop Objectives
Based on the content of this workshop, attendees will be able to...
- Explain the unique values, stressors (trauma, burnout), stigma, and norms of the responder community to provide better clinical support.
- Identify personal biases, assumptions, cultural filters, and knowledge gaps that affect interactions with diverse individuals and within the responder community.
- Describe differences in public perception of first responders by role with geographic and demographic contexts.
- Adapt service delivery to meet specific cultural needs, building trust and ensuring inclusive care for all responders.
About the Presenters
Dr. Elizabeth Riley is an Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health, working with the UK Center for Innovative Population Health and Department of Mental Health Policy and Management. Her work with the LFUCG Fire and Police Departments and her research on cultural attitudes toward public service workers in various capacities inform her contributions to this course.
Dr. Mariya Leyderman is a licensed clinical forensic psychologist. She was appointed by Mayor Greenberg to serve as the Executive Director of Behavioral Health for the city of Louisville. In her role, she serves as the Mayor’s Chief Advisor regarding behavioral health, substance use, and its intersection with all areas of city governance. She will be developing and implementing a city-wide strategic behavioral health plan to align public safety, housing, criminal justice, economic development, and coordinating behavioral health and substance use response in the community. Prior to her current role, she was appointed as the Executive Chief Psychologist at the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections (LMDC) where she oversaw mental health, programming, medication assisted treatment, as well as officer well-being services at LMDC. She created and oversaw LMDC’s first officer Peer Support Team as well as developed KY’s first Jail-Based Competency Restoration Program in partnership with the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental, and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID), along with numerous other initiatives centered on justice reform. Her clinical work has focused on trauma, substance use, and treatment of individuals who are justice involved and first-responders. Dr. Leyderman also has an extensive history of working as a trainer and consultant for law enforcement and first-responders. She earned her Doctoral Degree from Spalding University, with subsequent specialized post-doctoral training in federal prison and forensic private practice.
Dr. Lee Look is a life-long public servant, having spent almost 20 years serving his community as a firefighter, and almost 30 years working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Lee is a licensed psychological practitioner, a licensed long-term care administrator, and a SHRM-Certified Professional. He has used all of these in his work with agencies that support people in marginalized populations.
Audience
This workshop is appropriate for Psychologists, Social Workers, Other Mental Health Professionals.
Registration Fees
Event Location
This is a virtual event that will take place on Zoom - attendees will receive zoom details upon registration.
It is important to note that APA continuing education rules require that KPA only give credit to those who attend the entire workshop. An evaluation of the workshop must be completed. Those who arrive more than 15 minutes after the scheduled start time or leave before the workshop is completed will not receive CE credit. Partial credit may not be given.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations received on/before February 19th, 2026, will receive a 90% refund. No refunds will be available after February 19th, 2026. All refund requests must be in writing to KPA, 8004 Lyndon Centre Way, Suite 202, Louisville, KY 40222 or [email protected].
CE Credits/Attendance
This program has been approved for 1.5 CE credits by the Kentucky Psychological Association (KPA).
Psychologists:
KPA is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. KPA maintains responsibility for this program and its content. KPA is also an approved sponsor for the Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychology.
Social Workers & Art Therapists:
KPA is an approved sponsor for the Kentucky Board of Social Work, the Kentucky Board of Professional Art Therapists. (Provider #1004)
Pastoral Counselors:
KPA is approved to offer Continuing Education to Pastoral Counselors as stated in 201 KAR 38:070, Section 3(1)(b) as an approved KBEP provider.
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