Communication Access in Mental Health Care: Practical Strategies for Supporting Clients with Speech Differences Training
Thursday, September 24, 2026
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Online via Zoom
Training Summary:
This continuing education examines how communication differences intersect with mental health assessment, engagement, and therapeutic relationships. Using case-based and experiential learning, participants will explore how speech, language, and communication differences may be misinterpreted as cognitive, emotional, or motivational concerns, and how everyday clinical practices can either support or hinder communication access. The program emphasizes equity, cultural responsiveness, neurodiversity-affirming practice, and rural considerations while clarifying ethical collaboration and referral pathways with speech-language pathology. Participants will leave with practical, role-appropriate strategies they can apply immediately to support inclusive, effective mental health care.
Learning Objectives:
- 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 Presenters:
Kristin E. Berndt, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a doctoral candidate in Curriculum and Instruction at Winona State University and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Speech, Hearing, and Rehabilitation Services at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She is a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist whose clinical and academic experience spans healthcare, educational, and community settings. Her teaching and scholarship focus on clinical education, communication access, simulation-based learning, and the development of clinical readiness in speech-language pathology. Her current research explores graduate students' perceptions of clinical readiness and the experiences that contribute to confidence as they transition into advanced clinical practice. Kristin is committed to preparing future speech-language pathologists through evidence-based, student-centered instruction and collaborative clinical education.
Shelby Wolf, PhD, LP, BCBA-D, NCSP, HSP is a licensed psychologist, board-certified behavior analyst, and nationally certified school psychologist whose career has been dedicated to one mission: helping children be understood. With over a decade of specialized training and experience in neurodevelopmental conditions, learning differences, and child development, she brings both clinical depth and a deep passion for education to every room she enters. Dr. Wolf earned her PhD in School Psychology and completed post-doctoral fellowships in pediatric psychology and behavioral health, with specialized training in child development, integrated primary care, and behavioral pediatrics. Her career has spanned hospitals, autism centers, child development clinics, and leadership roles — giving her a uniquely comprehensive view of how children learn and thrive.
Not able to attend September 24th?
No problem. Register for the recorded session and a link to view it will be emailed to you after the September 24th 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
