PS 6190 - Social and Cultural Foundations in Mental Health

This course is designed to promote development of a theoretical and practical framework for effective delivery of mental health and human services within the context of multicultural and pluralistic characteristics within and among diverse groups. In addition to exploring the dynamics cultural diversity has on helping relationships, this course will examine the relationship that ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, minority status, aging, and disability has on the therapeutic process. Students will identify the impact of privilege and power as well as practice‐based strategies that enhance the mental health counselor’s capacity to work effectively with culturally diverse clients. Building awareness of one’s own cultural lens and the impact this has on one’s mental health counseling practice will also be emphasized. (3 credits)