Course Description

The professional counselor has an obligation to understand the client’s context and learn to communicate in a manner that the client in likely to be able to hear, understand and accept.
The counselor must have the courage and insight to explore their own biases and misconceptions of others with cultural and ethnic differences. This class will provide a basic foundation for understanding how cultural competence, awareness, and sensitivity can improve quality of care and increase positive outcomes. Cultural variables to be considered will include age, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, language, educational level, physical ability, economic status and social class as well as racial and ethnic backgrounds, all of which can be influential in the therapeutic process. Individual differences when considered in a cultural context can become strengths and resources for recovery. All required classes seek to enhance the ability of the counselor to offer treatment services in a manner that respects gender, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, cultural, familial, systemic and socioeconomic diversity.
b) This course is intended to provide participants with basic skills to recognize and respect the behaviors, ideas, attitudes, values, beliefs, customs, languages, rituals, ceremonies and practices characteristic of diverse groups of people. Course design will include definitions and descriptions of culture, ethnicity and race, along with related terms and concepts, including but not limited to cultural identity, cultural assumptions, acculturation, assimilation, biases, historical trauma, historical guilt, micro­aggressions, modern day prejudice and disparities. An examination of the National CLAS Standards will be included.
Exercises will involve self­-examination and discussion of the evolution of one’s own personal beliefs, values and attitudes in order to understand how one’s own cultural identity impacts their role as a helping professional.

Time/Duration: Virtual class meets online via Zoom from 8:30 – 5:00 for 2 consecutive days (14 hours). Students will also have an online classroom with  link, handouts and resource material for class as well as where students take the final exam and course evaluation. Enrolled students will receive online classroom login/password 2 days prior to class start date.

Access: must download free Zoom application and video capable phone, laptop or desktop.

Tuition: $175.00

Instructor:  Marjorie Lewis, LAC, LMFT, D. Min, Psy.D