Multicultural Competence Training, LA PhD Program

Clinical programs in Los Angeles have developed multicultural training to embrace consideration of diversity regarding issues of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, social class and religion. This is reflected in the required course for clinical students across all emphasis areas (Intercultural Processes and Human Diversity), as well as through the integration of multicultural perspectives in several core and elective courses.

Special features of the Los Angeles Campus include a national reputation for excellence in multiculturally relevant education and training, the wealth of diverse clinical placements available in the Los Angeles region, a mentoring model firmly integrated with the academic experience and, for the PhD program, the established network of high-quality, cutting-edge, applied research training opportunities.

The diversity of the campus community provides students with the opportunity to interact with faculty, staff, administrators and other students from many different cultural backgrounds. The year-long Intercultural Processes and Human Diversity course focuses on increasing multicultural awareness. Increasing self-awareness relevant to multicultural issues, increasing awareness of multicultural dynamics in larger society and examining their implications for psychotherapy are the primary goals of the course. Students are asked to look at their own multicultural identities, as well as at their values, stereotypes, prejudices and potential "blind spots."

In addition, Intercultural Processes and Human Diversity focus on increasing multicultural knowledge by gaining familiarity with theory, research and clinical applications relevant to diverse populations. Finally, elective courses and the availability of field training sites that provide experience with diverse groups offer opportunities to develop skills that enhance work with culturally diverse clients.