February 17 - 28, 2025

14 hours of Technician CAC credit offered over two weeks

The professional counselor has an obligation to understand the client’s context and learn to communicate in a manner that the client is 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 and dynamics are not exclusive to race and ethnicity alone. 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.

This course is intended to provide participants with basic skills to recognize and respect the behavior, ideas, attitudes, values, beliefs, customs, language, rituals, ceremonies and practices characteristic of diverse groups of people. Course design will include definitions and descriptions of culture including concepts of assimilation and acculturation. Exercises will involve self-examination and discussion of the evolution of one’s own personal beliefs, values and attitudes.