Dr. LaVerne Hanes Collins Leads Trailblazing Initiatives in Multicultural Mental Health Counseling

Nationally recognized mental health advocate Dr. LaVerne Hanes Collins offers innovative training strategies for counselors to address disparities in Black and Brown mental health care.

United States, January 30, 2025 — Dr. LaVerne Hanes Collins Leads a New Era of Culturally Informed Mental Health

In a focused and timely effort to reshape mental health treatment frameworks for Black and Brown communities, Dr. LaVerne Hanes Collins, a national resource person for multicultural mental health, announces the expansion of her groundbreaking initiatives designed to address systemic inequities in counseling practices. Drawing on her 30 years of professional experience, Dr. Collins’ work is centered on providing culturally relevant care to marginalized communities while empowering mental health professionals to better serve these populations.

At the core of her mission is a revolutionary three-tier model for culturally centered counseling, which includes individual therapy, Continuing Education (CE) training for clinicians, and a train-the-trainer approach to develop national leaders in culturally responsive practices. This holistic strategy seeks to challenge ineffective ideologies, dismantle biases, and elevate understanding within the mental health field.

Introducing the Three-Tier Model for Cultural Sensitivity

The centerpiece of Dr. Collins’ work is her innovative three-tier model, which emphasizes practical and theoretical strategies to improve mental health outcomes for Black and Brown individuals.

• Individual Counseling: Dr. Collins provides direct support to clients, ensuring their unique cultural, historical, and identity factors are fully acknowledged in therapeutic settings.
• Culturally Focused CE Training: Through her specialized training programs, Dr. Collins equips counselors with tools to recognize and address issues such as implicit bias, overlooked trauma, and identity complexities that often impact Black and Brown clients.
• Train-the-Trainer Initiative: Dr. Collins’ leadership program prepares experienced counselors to serve as national advocates and educators who can provide approved CE training events and webinars that result in broader dissemination of culturally specific mental health practices. This component of the model, originally drawing participants from Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, and Michigan, is now advertising and recruiting nationwide for experienced counselors who want to become approved trainers in counselor continuing education.

Bridging Professional Expertise and Personal Advocacy

Dr. Collins’ advocacy is deeply rooted in her personal journey. After losing her adult son to suicide and seeing Black male suicide rates increase exponentially across the country, she recognized the urgent need for mental health care that resonates with the lived experiences of Black Americans. Rather than stepping away from her career, she channeled her grief into exploring critical gaps in mental health treatment, including overlooked historical and identity factors.

“Black and Brown communities are often skeptical of traditional counseling because they’ve been excluded, exploited, or misrepresented in the healthcare narrative for so long,” says Dr. Collins. “This work is about building trust and creating solutions that truly serve them.”

OVERLOOKED: A Guide for Counselors

Dr. Collins is also the author of the influential book “OVERLOOKED: Counselor Insights for the Unspoken Issues in Black American Life.” The book has become a cornerstone for mental health professionals seeking culturally sensitive methods to address the unspoken challenges faced by Black clients. From identity loss to systemic inequalities, OVERLOOKED dives deep into issues that are often ignored in conventional counseling paradigms.

Driving Change and Breaking Barriers

Through her extensive workshops, mentorship programs, and speaking engagements, Dr. Collins continues to inspire mental health professionals to challenge the status quo. Her innovative approach has garnered widespread acclaim, cementing her position as a leader in culturally informed mental health advocacy.

Dr. Collins is frequently sought out for her expertise, serving as a mentor to counselors determined to reverse the harm caused by racism, stereotypes, and colonial legacies. Her work dismantles biases and fosters an inclusive environment in which Black and Brown communities feel seen, heard, and healed.

Media and Public Engagement

Dr. Collins’ work has been featured in several media outlets, including The U.S. Times article titled “Trailblazing a New Era in Culturally Sensitive Mental Health.” Her growing influence is reflected in her online presence, where she connects with professionals and communities alike.

To explore her initiatives further, visit her Facebook, Youtube, Linkedin, and Audience reviews.

About Dr. LaVerne Hanes Collins

Dr. LaVerne Hanes Collins is a nationally recognized advocate, author, and mentor specializing in multicultural mental health counseling. With over three decades of experience, she has pioneered efforts to address systemic inequities in mental health care for Black and Brown communities. Her work focuses on equipping counselors with the tools needed to provide culturally sensitive care through education, mentorship, and advocacy.

Media Contact
New Seasons Counseling and Training
Email: DrCollins@NewSeasons.training
Website: New Seasons Counseling
Facebook: New Seasons Counseling
YouTube: LaVerne Collins
LinkedIn: LaVerne H. Collins  

Contact Info:
Name: Dr. LaVerne Hanes Collins
Email: Send Email
Organization: New Seasons Counseling and Training
Website: https://newseasons.training/

Release ID: 89151783

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