Multicltrl Cnslng & the Family

Catalog description

This course is designed to address the social and political context of counseling individuals, families, and groups with diverse identities and social locations and representative sociocultural groups. This includes the intersections of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, age, (dis)ability, neurodiversity, religion, body size and the impact of systems of power, privilege, and oppression in peoples' lives. We will look at the limitations of current psychological models in addressing the particularities of our clients' diverse familial and cultural backgrounds, along with the role of the counselor as an advocate, ally, and agent of social change. Through experiential inquiry, practices, and dialogue, students will explore their own sociocultural backgrounds and uncover beliefs, unconscious assumptions, countertransference, fears, and biases. The instructor will work with the class to co-create a brave space to encourage respectful, authentic exploration of and dialogues on often hidden and emotionally charged topics. Prerequisite: ICPW student.