Professional Development

The staff at the Counseling Center values lifelong learning and continued developmental growth.  This is particularly important in our commitment to providing culturally affirming services and training in an ever changing society. Cultural considerations are therefore infused throughout all the work we do.  

• Cultural Reflections
• Participation in the Diversity Reading Groups
• Training Program
• Staff Lead Trainings
• Community-Based Trainings
• Mentorship(s)

Cultural Reflections

Our clinical full-time staff began using the Cultural Reflections process in 2016. Given shifts in our staff membership, events impacting our society as a whole, recognition of the dynamic nature of these identities, topics can be repeated throughout the years. Below is a listing each of the identities we’ve explored in past semesters.  

• Spring 2024: Religion/Spirituality
• Fall 2023: Religion/Spirituality
• Spring 2023: Educational Status
• Fall 2022: Age and Generation 
• Spring 2022: Body, Shape, and Size
• Fall 2021: Gender
• Spring 2021: Ability/Disability
• Fall 2020: Ethnicity
• Spring 2020: Ability/Disability (didactic only)
• Fall 2019: Social Class
• Spring 2019: Sexual Orientation
• Fall 2018: Family Structure
• Spring 2018: Race
• Fall 2017: Gender
• Spring 2017: Religion/Spirituality
• Fall 2016: Social Class

Our entire staff commits to ongoing training to increase multicultural awareness and promote advocacy. For example, every semester our counselors participate in Cultural Reflection Discussions to take a deep dive into an aspect of our own identities (i.e., such as socioeconomic status, ability, religion, gender, or sexual orientation) and explore its impact on others as well as its influence on our work with students. Before each Cultural Reflection takes place, clinicians participate in a workshop focused exclusively on the identity of interest inclusive of educational components and discussions and continue sharing information throughout the semester. Other examples include:

• Attendance at conferences and continuing education seminars focused on inclusion 
• Participation in community immersion experiences 
• Offering of mentorship to non-clients