Commitment to Global Representation and Access
Welcome Statement for All Communities
The College of Education and Human Sciences, of which the CPSY program is a part, is committed to the promotion and affirmation of all communities. This commitment is consistent with the ethical principles of the various professions, including the American Psychological Association, represented in CEHS and in the School of Community Health Sciences, Counseling and Counseling Psychology.
Cross-Cultural Training
Counseling Psychology as a discipline of psychology is committed to a plethora of issues impacting vulnerable communities in society. As counseling psychologists, we serve and advocate for underrepresented groups who have encountered institutional constraints and systemic disparities. Counseling psychologists conceptualize peoples' experiences within the context of their history, their culture and communities, and their development (lifespan). We emphasize the strengths and resilience of individuals, groups, families and communities in their efforts to live meaningful and satisfactory lives.
Course Work
Students are exposed to a variety of coursework related to the knowledge of different cultures and professional psychology in our program. Students take coursework involving counseling different communities across and between different cultures - all of whom confront of a range of different issue, requiring critical dialogue. The pedagogical components of scaffolding these issues include group work with different cultures and communities, marriage and family work, career counseling, personal counseling, etc.
Students are encouraged to present clients from different constituency groups in their case presentations in practicum classes. As part of the experience in our training program, students actively explore their educational gaps related to working with clients from different backgrounds.
Safe Zone Training
Our faculty members all have advanced Safe Zone training and we encourage our students to complete the training. Safe Zone stickers and other signs of belonging for counseling psychology faculty, students and staff work spaces help create a safe atmosphere.