Gallardo Develops Workshops for Clinicians to Improve Behavioral Health Outcomes

Laura Gallardo, LCSW, an advanced clinical social work fellow at Yale Child Study Center (YCSC), recently developed and launched a pilot workshop series for behavioral health clinicians as part of the Viola W. Bernard Fellowship. Titled The Critically Conscious Clinician, the series was piloted with eight YCSC participants in April and May, involving four workshop sessions designed to support participants in developing self-reflective practices aimed at reducing bias and improving patient outcomes.

According to Gallardo, the concept of critical consciousness—which involves recognizing how power is distributed and used in society—has traditionally been utilized in educational settings but is increasingly being integrated into clinical practice to counteract the effects of inequality in healthcare. “Recent research from the University of Chicago and Louisiana State University has shown that the implementation of critical consciousness frameworks can improve clinicians’ attitudes and reduce patient barriers to care,” she shared.

Grounded in inclusive, trauma-informed, and reflective practices, Gallardo designed the 60-minute workshops to be accessible, sustainable, and impactful. The pilot offering was open to all patient-facing faculty and trainees at the YCSC, including interns and supervisors. The workshop sessions are built sequentially on a thematic structure, with the first focused on self-assessment tools and creating reflective spaces. The second session focuses on promoting and developing self-awareness and openness, while the third addresses the development of critical motivation and reflective posture. The fourth and final session examines critical action, systems-level thinking, and integration of reflection into long-term practice.

“In the clinical mental health context, critical consciousness entails more than an awareness of one’s biases,” Gallardo said. “It requires an ongoing examination of one’s social positioning, a humble engagement with cultural difference, and a commitment to sustained reflective practice,” she continued, adding that this new workshop series aims to help clinicians move from insight to impact by building skills in a supportive environment.

Assistant Clinical Professor Carolina Parrott, LCSW, who serves as the director of the YCSC social work fellowship program, shared, “This is exemplary work that demonstrates exactly the kind of innovative programming we want to see from our social work fellows. Laura has skillfully translated critical consciousness theory from its educational origins into a practical clinical framework that directly addresses one of health care most persistent challenges, unconscious bias, and its impact on patient care.”

In tandem with the workshop curriculum, Gallardo developed and self-published a guided critical self-reflection journal to support clinician professional development and deepen reflective practice. Learning materials include peer-reviewed articles, music, film, and media relevant to a range of learning styles. As the workshop concluded, participants received a self-care toolbox to support ongoing learning.

“The workshop environment was intentionally co-created with participants, emphasizing empathetic assumptions, transparency about positionality, and shared norms around space and repair,” Gallardo said. Initial post-session reflections suggest that participants valued the dedicated time for discussion, the depth of content, and the opportunity to engage in critical dialogue with peers. Workshop evaluation data was similarly positive, showing a high level of interest in the topic and growth in the area.

“What moves me most is the thoughtful design of this workshop series,” Parrott commented. She continued, “The sequential four-session structure allows for genuine skill-building rather than superficial awareness-raising, and the integration of diverse learning modalities, from peer-reviewed literature to multimedia resources, ensures accessibility across different learning styles. The development of the C3 Journal as a sustained practice tool shows Laura's commitment to creating lasting change beyond the workshop experience itself.”

Gallardo plans to use the feedback and evaluation data from the pilot series to revise the workshop curriculum and explore replication in other clinical settings. Her long-term goals include adapting workshop modalities and structuring the workshop to be applicable for interdisciplinary health teams.

The Viola W. Bernard Fellowship was launched in 2023 to provide an opportunity for YCSC trainees to consider and address the mental health care needs of children and families facing economic and social adversity, with a focus on equitable access to mental health care. The fellowship dovetails with the department’s efforts to increase fair and equitable access to mental health care and decrease related health disparities. Intended to enhance YCSC training experiences, the fellowship also aims to prepare fellows to weave these concepts into careers in the fields of psychiatry, psychology, and social work.