One of the best qualities about the Chicago School of Professional Psychology is its attention to multicultural competency in every class. In my diagnosis class, I was asked to reflect on what reactions I may have to clients from diverse backgrounds which could affect the way I conceptualize my client’s presenting problems. In the grief class, I created a presentation on how Asian American expression and experience of grief is shaped by cultural influences. In my multicultural diversity class I reflected on and confronted my own privileges as it relates to race, abilities, economics, and sexuality. In my internship class, I gave an advocacy presentation on a client in which I was challenged to report on the help-seeking behaviors of diverse clients. Awareness of my own experiences in social or cultural areas is not only a part of my training, but it is an ethical obligation to be skilled and competent in providing services to a diversity of clients.

​

I have an education grounded in understanding the historical underpinnings of society which created the institutions and the systems of oppression that exist in America today, hyper-sensitivity to forms of discrimination, and the ability to recognize and challenge my own social biases. A well-rounded counselor must be aware of all the social and cultural contextual factors, client history, and intersectionality which impact a person’s mental health. I am confident in my ability to maintain culturally competent counseling services in a non-judgmental nor discriminative manner by researching the evidenced-based approaches and theories best for a person’s unique intersectionality and being willing to challenge my own epistemological conceptions.

​

The artifacts attached include a paper and presentation I prepared for my Multicultural and Diversity class where I met with an artist with multifactorial minority intersection in which we discussed the art industry and reviewed comic media’s representation of people of color. Additionally, in my internship, I prepared a presentation for my internship cohort about counseling those who are a part of the Deaf community or children of deaf parents.