CSPP India Immersion Program

Join Us in Chennai, India!

Essayist Mark Twain described India as, “the one land that all men desire to see, and having seen once, by even a glimpse, would not give that glimpse for all the shows of all the rest of the globe combined.” India’s rich culture, complex history, diverse populations and its ever increasing presence in the global community makes it a powerful environment for mental health workers to gain international clinical competencies.

CSPP India Academic Tour

January 6, 2011 to January 15, 2011

Did you know that nearly 70% of Southeast Asian immigrants meet the criteria for PTSD but very few access mental health services? Begin your journey building multicultural competence working with these populations by spending 10 days in Chennai, India! The California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) is offering the 2011 CSPP India Immersion Program in Chennai, India - a city often called the cultural capital of Southern India for its deep-rooted traditions and long heritage. The program dates are January 6, 2011- January 15, 2011. See how ten days can impact your life!

And much, much more… For a sneak peak, view a slideshow from the 2008-2009 program - CSPP India Academic Tour video.

The CSPP India Immersion Program will be an enriching cultural experience providing profound opportunities for professional development. India, being an ancient seat of knowledge and practice in alternative healing and spiritual traditions, offers a great setting for an immersion program for mental health professionals who are intent on enhancing cross-cultural and international competencies, particularly with an eye towards better serving the needs of the South Asian communities. Two academic courses will be offered during the program, which are closely aligned with the essence of what India has to offer to the world:

Academic Courses Offered

PSY 6654 - Mental Health Perspective in India: Holistic Healing and Nonviolence Dr. Raji Natrajan-Tyagi & Dr. Jason Platt PSY 6999 – Special Topics: Multicultural Self Awareness Development Dr. Raji Natrajan-Tyagi & Dr. Jason Platt

Why Consider an International Immersion Experience?

The effectiveness of providing cross-cultural training has been proven to be successful in a variety of settings (Bhawuk & Brislin, 2000; Cushner, & Brislin, 1997; Hall & Gudykunst, 1989). Cultural competency trainings in particular have been shown to improve communication, trust, treatment regimens, and appropriateness of services. Obtaining these competencies lead to improved services and outcomes for target populations (Brach and Fraser, 2002). Even brief cultural competency trainings have been shown to improve knowledge, communication and positive health outcomes (Way & Stone, 2002).

For more information, contact:

Dr. Jason Platt, Faculty

Dr. Raji Natrajan-Tyagi, Faculty

Dr. Jennifer Young, Program Assistant

You can contact Dr. Young for all non-academic inquiries.

Now that you're interested, here are the Next Steps:

1. Email Dr. Jason Platt and Dr. Raji Natrajan-Tyagi about your interest in participating in the 2011 CSPP India Immersion Program. You have to arrange for a brief telephone interview with the faculty. So, please include your phone number and best time of the day to call in your email.
   You are welcome to invite psychology students, students of MFT from other universities, friends, or partners to join you on this journey.
   

2. Send a deposit of $300 to Thomas Swank by September 15, 2010, to secure your place in the program. Please make checks payable to Alliant International University and add "India Immersion Program" in the memo section. Mail payment to:
        Alliant Internatioanl University
        Attn: Thomas Swank
        10455 Pomerado Road, M-18
        San Diego, CA 92131-1799
   
   You may also pay by cash, check or money order. Submit the deposit by using the Credit Card Form via email to Thomas Swank or contact him to make other payment arrangements. Space in the program is limited.

3. If you have a passport, skip to #4. If you do not have a passport, you need to apply for one ASAP. For more information, please visit http://www.state.gov/. (It can take up to 6 weeks from the time you submit your application to obtain the passport).
   
   
4. Discuss your prospective participation in the India Immersion Program with your campus Program Director and confirm that the academic courses offered can be used to meet your program requirements. *Please note that it is crucial to have your Program Director’s approval that the electives will count towards your program credits prior to registering for the courses.
   
   
5. Start researching flights now! The destination airport is MAA (Chennai). Flights are ~$1400-1500 r/t. Consider arriving a few days earlier to allow yourself to get adjusted to jetlag and the new environment and/or staying a few days later if you would like to travel within India (e.g. Taj anyone?)
   
   

Cost and Deposit

Program fee:	$2500
Non-refundable deposit:	$300 (required to secure your place in the program) Due September 15, 2010 Space in the program is limited.
Balance due:	October 15, 2010
Financial Aid available:	Contact your campus Financial Aid Advisor: Irvine: Jennifer Terrazas Los Angeles: Margarita Ruito San Francisco: Tracy Babbitt San Diego: Deborah Spindler Fresno/Sacramento: Sandra Acuna
Fees include:	All housing Most meals (2-3/day) Lectures Entrance fees to events/activities Transportation (drivers) in Chennai
Fees do not include:	Your flight to Chennai Tuition for courses in which you choose to enroll

India Immersion Program Faculty