Multicultural Counseling

Catalog description

This course provides students with an opportunity to develop an understanding of multicultural counseling and therapy. The focus of this course is to have students develop their awareness/consciousness, knowledge, and clinical skills in relation to racial/cultural dynamics as these factors have an impact on the therapeutic relationships between mental health practitioners and clients of racially/culturally diverse groups. A key emphasis will be placed on how the intersectionality of race; ethnicity; gender, gender identity, and gender expression; social class; immigration status; and sexuality have had an impact on larger societal processes that relate to inequalities. Students will examine multicultural issues that influence the therapeutic relationship such as racial/ethnic identity development, cultural worldviews, cultural responsiveness, and multicultural ethical considerations. Students will develop awareness to the dynamics of power and powerlessness that have an impact on the client/mental health practitioner interaction. Students will explore perceptions about their own racial/ethnic/cultural background as well as that of others.