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S. Gray: Is Psychology Training Accounting for Diversity Training?
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Is Psychology Training Accounting for Diversity?
Shannon Gray
Argosy University
S. Gray: Is Psychology Training Accounting for Diversity Training?
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The goal of my research paper is to examine the role of diversity within psychology
training at colleges and universities. More specifically, I would like to understand how
teachers, curriculum, and counselors are interjecting diversity into the education process of
counselors. As I continue to investigate the topic of diversity training within psychology
institutions, I see many similarities in my sources. I have discovered that diversity/cultural
training still is not focused upon enough within curriculum and educational training facilities.
There has been a progressive movement within our educational system to account for minority
populations, but there continues to be a disconnect between the training of psychologists and
the treatment of minority groups.
One of the prevailing arguments that I discovered was identifying the need to
identify/implement diversity training within all elements of a psychology program.
Psychologists have long recognized the need for increased multicultural training. “It is now
imperative to maximize cultural considerations to foster an applicable, relevant, and credible
system of care because it is known that culturally relevant treatment improves mental health
status” (Gamst, Dana, Der-Karabetian, & Kramer, 2004, p. 457).
Psychology programs have not standardized the amount of diversity training students
receive within classrooms and training environments. Given the importance of diversity in
both research and clinical practice, understanding and applying knowledge about it should be
a critical component of graduate education. However, it is unclear how and with what
frequency students receive diversity training in their clinical psychology programs (Green,
Callands, Radcliffe, Luebbe & Klonoff, 2009, p. 1056).
S. Gray: Is Psychology Training Accounting for Diversity Training?
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Another discovery that I made was that things are improving. Advancements are
being made to account for minority populations. Recognizing the variance amongst different
ethnicities and cultures has resulted in increased literature and curriculum considerations
within our nation (Holcomb-McCoy & Myers, 1999).When comparing the responses of those
who graduated from Counsel for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational
Programs (CACREP) versus those of non-CACREP institutions, we discover that both groups
felt adequately prepared to deal with persons from multicultural backgrounds (Holcomb-
McCoy & Myers, 1999). Counselors evaluated five factors: awareness, skills, definitions,
knowledge, and racial identity. They felt most confident in the areas of awareness, skills, and
definitions, and less confident in the areas of knowledge and racial identity (Holcomb-McCoy
& Myers, 1999). It has been suggested that counselors are less competent in those areas
because they are not adequately covered in academic and training environments (Holcomb-
McCoy & Myers, 1999).
One of the primary challenges of psychology university trainers is providing essential
content at the graduate specialist level without adding more course requirements (Jones,
Crank & Loe, 2006). The question begs to be asked, what should the core curriculum for
psychology consist of? Diversity training curriculum should be required as a part of our
progressive educational system, however, how do we go about including all of the necessary
content of a large discipline? It has been suggested that educational institutions should
consider incorporating self-instruction modules as a part of their instruction (Jones, Crank &
Loe). This may encourage academic growth outside of the classroom, while allowing for
more essential material to be taught in programs.
S. Gray: Is Psychology Training Accounting for Diversity Training?
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. Diversity training is not only applicable with race, but also culture, gender,
economic status, sexuality preference etc. Although we will never reside in a world that is
completely fair or ethical, we do have an obligation to help persons of all creeds. One way in
which we can do so is by continuing to study, examine, research, and analyze the best ways in
which to provide psychiatric and psychological services to all people. Diversity training will
become increasing applicable for counselors operating in therapeutic environments. All
techniques are not equally effective when counseling different persons, groups, or
populations.What are the shortcomings of diversity training within educational facilities?
How are these challenges and problems being addressed? What changes are being
implemented within learning environments? Lastly, how effective are these changes and what
impacts are they having?
S. Gray: Is Psychology Training Accounting for Diversity Training?
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References
Gamst, G., Dana, R. H., Der-Karabetian, A., & Kramer, T. (2004). Ethnic match and
treatment outcomes for child and adolescent mental health center clients. Journal of
Counseling & Development, 84(Fall), 457-466. Retrieved
fromhttp://content.ebscohost.com
Green, D., Callands, T.A., Radcliffe, A.M., Luebbe, A.M., & Klonoff, E.A. (2009). Clinical
psychology students’ perceptions of diversity training: a study of exposure and
satisfaction. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 65(10), 1056-1070.
doi: 10.1002/jclp.20605
Holcomb-McCoy, C. C. and Myers, J. E. (1999). Multicultural competence and counselor
training: a national survey. Journal of Counseling & Development, 77(Summer), 294-
302. Retrieved from http://content.ebscohost.com
Jones, W.P., Crank, J.N. and Loe, S.A. (2006). Extending specialist training in counseling:
the efficacy of self-instruction. College Student Journal, 40(4), 885-900. Retrieved
from http://content.ebscohost.com