Counseling Psychology Overview
Post-Graduation Success
Graduates from our program are employed as counseling psychologists in a variety of settings, including:
- Academia
- University counseling centers
- Correctional facilities
- Military settings
- Hospitals
- Veterans Administration Medical Centers
- Indian Health Services settings
- Child/adolescent guidance centers
- Community mental health clinics
- Rehabilitation centers
- Family services
- Private practice
Program Philosophy
The philosophical orientation of our program is consistent both with the historical development of counseling psychology and with the current roles and functions of counseling psychologists. We give major emphasis to preventive/developmental /educational interventions, and to remediation of problems that arise in the normal development of relatively well functioning people.
- Prevention, developmental change and education
- Skills related to facilitation of growth
- Training in education, consultation, environmental change, and self-help
- Focus on assets, skills, strengths, and possibilities rather than psychopathology
- Remediation
- Focus on remediation motives our acquisition of knowledge
- Skills in psychotherapy as applied to individuals, groups, families and communities
Commitment to Global Representation and Access
The College of Education and Human Sciences is committed to the promotion and affirmation
of different groups/communities in the broadest sense. This commitment is consistent
with the ethical principles of the various professions, including the American Psychological
Association, represented in the college 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 issues impacting access and opportunity for different communities who confront systemic disparities in society. As counseling psychologists, we serve and advocate for underrepresented groups who encounter adverse circumstances, requiring support. 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.
Coursework
Students take numerous classes related to cross-cultural competency and professional psychology and discuss different issues in most of their classes. The pedagogical components of this coursework includes but is not limited to the following: 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 workspaces help create a safe atmosphere.