Multicultural Training in University Counseling Center Predoctoral Psychology Internship Programs: A Survey

Abstract

Research indicates that graduate programs in counseling and clinical psychology are beginning to include more courses on multicultural issues. Little data is available, however, concerning the inclusion of training in multicultural issues in predoctoral psychology internship training programs. This study examined the amount and type of such training actually occurring at predoctoral psychology internship training programs in university counseling centers.

Service Learning in Graduate Counselor Education: Developing Multicultural Counseling Competency

“…course framework Multiple formats for multicultural counseling training embrace a wider range of learning styles than didactic presentations alone (Murphy, Wright, & Bellamy, 1995;Sevig & Etzkom, 2001). Traditionally, our multicultural counseling and psychosocial theory course was taught using didactic and experiential methods.…”

The Status of Multicultural Counseling Training at Counseling Center Internship Sites

“…ACCTA provided a larger sample pool than that in the APPIC used by Murphy et al (1995). The surveys were mailed after the American Psychological Association (MA) internship selection day in mid-February in an effort to increase the response rate.…”

“…Finally, interns can be challenged to develop cultural self-awareness and knowledge in the absence of diverse clientele through dialogues with each other (Rooney, Flores, & Mercier, 1998) and role play using culture-centered counseling skills (Pedersen, 1997). Murphy, Wright, and Bellamy's (1995) survey of MCT at university counseling centers offers one of the only glimpses at how internship sites are implementing MCT. In a survey of 53 of 69 counseling centers listed in the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internships Centers (APPIC) directory, 96% reportedly offered some form of MCT, but only 25% offered a multicultural counseling seminar.…”

Multicultural Initiatives Across Educational Contexts in Psychology: Becoming Diverse in Our Approach

“…The existing research and literature on cultural diversity focuses primarily on academic programs and counseling centers (Carlson, Brack, Laygo, Cohen, & Kirkscey, 1998;Constantine & Sue, 2005;Murphy, Wright, Vidaurr, & Bellamy, 1995). In the course of my tenure as the director of a multidisciplinary training clinic, serving students from various academic programs including clinical, counseling, and school psychology, reading, and special education, I (Rosa) have experienced several challenges as I attempted to integrate cultural diversity in my practicum site.…”