Live Zoom Meetings
Wednesdays
February 11, 2026 – April 15, 2026
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (EST) & 6:45 PM – 10:00 PM (EST)
Prerequisite: Applicant must have completed a Medical Interpreter Training Program
Program Fee: $250 Fee includes materials, certificate of completion and credits
Credits/Contact Hours
CCHI – This program is accredited by CEAP for a total of 30 CEs
(4 PB CEs and 26 general CEs) CEAP accreditation # 10780.
IMIA – This program has been approved for 3 IMIA/NBCMI CEUs with the unique Education Registry ID 25-1078
Education Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Presenters
Maria del Mar Farina, PhD, LICSW
Nancy Esparza, CHI Spanish
Program Director: Silvana M. Kirby, CMI Spanish
Description
The goal of this training course is to provide experienced medical interpreters with knowledge and skills specific to the delivery of effective, reliable, and comprehensive interpreting in mental health settings. The curriculum outlines a theoretical and practical understanding of the multiple roles of the interpreter as well as relevant clinical, ethical, cultural, and linguistic considerations in the behavioral health field. Additionally, the curriculum will enhance the medical interpreters’ ability to understand and render culturally responsive communication through practice exercises.
Objectives
Medical interpreters participating in this training program will:
- Identify mental health related issues, common psychological disorders, and types of treatments.
- Demonstrate the skills to work in mental health settings.
- Apply the roles of the medical interpreter (i.e., conduit, message clarifier, cultural broker, patient advocate) in mental health settings.
- Use mental health related terminology and vocabulary in English and Target Language.
- Apply the triadic encounter across various mental health settings.
- Perform effectively as an integral member of the mental health multidisciplinary treatment team.
Certificates and Completion Requirements
Participants are expected to attend the entire program and complete an evaluation. Certificates will be e-mailed to participants four weeks after program completion. Participants will not receive a certificate of completion until payment has been received.
Refunds
The Berkshire AHEC Medical Interpreting Program does not provide refunds after 10 full calendar days prior to the start date of the program. If an individual requests a refund due to illness, a partial credit towards a workshop occurring in the same fiscal year may be issued. However, you must notify the Berkshire AHEC office before the close of business the day prior to the scheduled workshop. Credits for cancellation due to illness will only be issued once per fiscal year per individual.
Special Requests
If you are hearing impaired or are a person who is differently abled who requires accommodations, please contact the Massachusetts Medical Interpreting Program 15 days prior to the training.
Contact Information
Berkshire AHEC
Silvana Kirby: (413) 842-5160
Email: [email protected]
www.berkshireahec.org
Supported by
MassHealth
and the
MassAHEC Network,
a division of Commonwealth Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School
| Date and Time | Workshop | Instructor |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday February 11, 2026 6:45 PM – 10:00 PM (EST) | Workshop #1 - Nature of mental health/illness: Myths and facts about mental illnesses: Acknowledging Culture in Mental Health Setting | Maria del Mar Farina |
| Wednesday February 18, 2026 6:45 PM – 10:00 PM (EST) | Workshop #2 - Relationship among mental health, physical health and co-morbid conditions. | Maria del Mar Farina |
| Wednesday February 25, 2026 6:45 PM – 10:00 PM (EST) | Workshop #3 - Broad categories of mental disorders: Part I | Maria del Mar Farina |
| Wednesday March 4, 2026 6:45 PM – 10:00 PM (EST) | Workshop #4 - Broad categories of mental disorders: Part II, Culture Patient’s Rights, and Commonwealth Law | Maria del Mar Farina |
| Wednesday March 11, 2026 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (EST) | Workshop #7 - Ethical Considerations and Professionalism in the Mental Health Encounter | Nancy Esparza |
| Wednesday March 18, 2026 6:45 PM – 10:00 PM (EST) | Workshop #5 - Mental health assessment and types of Psychiatric Treatments | Maria del Mar Farina |
| Wednesday March 25, 2026 6:45 PM – 10:00 PM (EST) | Workshop #6 - Impact of stigma related to Mental Illnesses and Psychiatric Treatments | Maria del Mar Farina |
| Wednesday April 1, 2026 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (EST) | Workshop #8 - Managing and Negotiating the Medical Interpreter Role in Mental Health Settings: Clinical Encounter Practice Session | Nancy Esparza |
| Wednesday April 8, 2026 6:45 PM – 10pm (EST) | Workshop #9 - Current Trends in Mental Health and Health Care (Contemporary Issues and Innovations in Mental Services) | Maria del Mar Farina |
| Wednesday April 15, 2026 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (EST) | Workshop #10 - Medical interpretation strategies and practice for mental health-related dialogues and interactions | Nancy Esparza |
Maria del Mar Fariña, PhD, is an associate professor at Westfield State University, MSW Program, adjunct professor at Smith College, School for Social Work, adjunct associate professor at Columbia School of Social Work, and course facilitator at Boston University. Her research in political psychology pertains to American immigration policy, immigrant integration, and rising sociopolitical ideologies-- nationalism, nativism, populism— and white power groups discourse.
Her work has been presented in Europe, the United States, and Canada. She is the author of White Nativism, Ethnic Identity and U.S. Immigration Policy Reforms (2018); and Psychological Borders in Europe and the United States (2023).
Nancy Esparza, M. Ed., is an Ecuadorian bilingual and multicultural national educator. As a public health leader, certified healthcare interpreter, educator, and community organizer, Nancy has dedicated her career to equity, social change, and mitigating the root causes of health disparities. Nancy holds a master’s degree in health education, is a Spanish-English Certified Healthcare Interpreter and a Mindfulness teacher.
Nancy has over 25 years of experience in interpreter service and translation management, curriculum development, and development of numerous interpreter training programs.
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