67th Annual Conference

Thursday, February 25

Session 205

Infusing Group Therapy Programs in University Counseling Centers with Multiculturalism: Challenges and Triumphs

Presented under the auspices of AGPA College Counseling and Other Educational Settings SIG

Chair: 

Scott Cypers, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist/Group Coordinator, Cal State University Fullerton, Fullerton, California

Presenters:

Hue-Sun Ahn, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist, The College of New Jersey, Counseling and Psychological Services, Ewing, New Jersey

Kristen E. Davis-John, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida

Pejcharat Harvey, Ph.D., Psychology Resident, University of North Dakota Counseling Center, Grand Forks, North Dakota

This session will explore multiculturally focused group programming within four university counseling centers. Two specific challenges will be highlighted and addressed.  The first challenge relates to how to infuse group therapy programming with multicultural identity awareness interventions. The second challenge relates to establishing support groups (or group-focused interventions) for marginalized populations within a university setting.

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Learn two multicultural identity awareness interventions.

2. Identify at least two ways that traditional group programming can be infused with multicultural identity awareness interventions.

3. Explain at least two benefits of multicultural identity awareness interventions on the overall group process and outcomes.

4. Identify at least two challenges to establishing support groups ( group- focused interventions) for marginalized populations within a university setting.

5. Describe two success strategies for establishing group focused interventions for marginalized populations.

Course References:

Brinson, J.A. & Lee, C.E. (1997). Culturally Responsive Group Leadership: An Integrative Model For Experienced Practitioners. In H. Forester-Miller & J.A. Kottler (Eds.) Issues and Challenges for Group Practitioners (43-56). Denver, Colorado: Lowe Publishing Company.

Johnson, D.W. & Johnson, F.P. (1997). Dealing with Diversity. In D.W. Johnson & F.P. Johnson (Eds.) Joining Together: Group Theory and Group Skills, 6th Edition (443 – 454). Boston, Massachusetts: Allyn & Bacon Publishing Company.

Sue, S., Zane, N., Hall, G.C., & Berger, L. (2009). The case for cultural competency in psychotherapeutic interventions.  Annual Review of Psychology, 60,  525-548.