Catalog 2012-2013 
    
    May 02, 2024  
Catalog 2012-2013 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Counseling Psychology with Emphasis on Family and Communities: MA, Mexico City


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The master’s in Counseling Psychology (MACO) program in Mexico City prepares internationally competent clinicians to provide counseling for individuals, children, couples, and families. The program integrates Western clinical theories and educational modalities with other approaches and ideas that originated in Latin American. The primary aim of the program is to train students to be competent clinicians prepared to work in an increasing ever expanding globalized and interconnected world. Students are expected to gain competencies in assessing and treating a broad spectrum of individual and relationship problems, including issues such as substance abuse, couple conflict, sexual dysfunction, anger, depression, and parenting. In addition, students will develop an awareness of indigenous psychologies and various applications of these approaches in clinical practice. Training assists students in understanding and addressing contextual factors such as oppression, injustice, poverty, and other social realities that impact the lives of clients. Students who successfully complete this program will also automatically earn the CSPP Certificate in Latin American Family Therapy.

Program Outcomes


Students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the counseling and family therapy theories needed to address the clinical needs of individuals, children, couples and families.
  2. Formulate treatment and intervention strategies while using ethical reasoning.
  3. Recognize how the macro level of culture, nationality, economics, and other social factors are linked to mental health, relationships, development and clinical practice.
  4. Demonstrate skills in professional practice with multicultural and international communities, with a particular emphasis on clinical practice with Latin American populations.

Training Model: A Scholar-Practitioner Program


Practicum

During the second year, students complete a clinical practicum in appropriate well established agencies throughout Mexico City. Students also see clients at the California Clinic, a counseling and dialogue center housed at the Alliant Mexico City Campus. Students must gain 500 hours of face to face clinical experience under the supervision of qualified supervisors.

Final Practicum Case Presentation

The practicum process culminates with the completion of Final Practicum Case Presentation (FPCP) in which the student writes an essay about his or her theory of counseling and gives an oral presentation. The Final Practicum Case Presentation (FPCP) is designed to enable second-year interns to demonstrate the ability to grasp and apply systems theory in clinical practice. Students are eligible to schedule their FPCP when they have accumulated 425 clinical hours. Complete information on the FPCP is provided during the practicum orientation.

International Semester Abroad

Students enrolled in the Counseling Psychology program at Alliant’s Mexico City campus have the opportunity to take classes at Alliant’s San Francisco campus. This campus currently houses a two-year program in Professional Counseling with similar courses and clinical field training opportunities. Students who choose to pursue the LPCC license can spend the spring semester of their first year of the program in San Francisco. Students who choose this option would take classes in Theories of Counseling and Human Development during a regular fifteen-week semester. In addition to greatly strengthening their English language skills, students staying in San Francisco have the opportunity to take classes in one of the most culturally diverse cities in the United States while learning about social justice theory and the application of social justice principles from leaders in the field.

Specialized Admissions Requirements


There are no specific requirements other than a bachelor’s degree, although students should have a good understanding of basic psychological principles and methods. English language proficiency is required.

Curriculum and Degree Requirements


The standard curriculum is a complete two years and includes the summer semester. Students must complete a minimum of 63 units in order to prepare for licensure under California Marriage and Family Therapy licensing laws. Students may elect to take an additional 6 units if they wish to also qualify for licensure as a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC).

Curriculum Plan


Required Latin American Focused Coursework:


  • PSY 6654 - Latin American & Liberation Psychology (3 units)
  • PSY 6643 - Critical Issues in Latin America (3 units)

Optional Courses to Qualify for the LPC License:


Credential Requirements


Students must complete a minimum of 63 units in order to prepare for licensure under the California Marriage and Family Therapy License. Students may elect to take an additional 6 units if they wish to also qualify for licensure as a professional counselor.

Master’s of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MA) Teaching Faculty


Jason Platt, PhD, Program Director

Laura Patricia Betancourt Arriaga, MA

Debora Mondellini, MA

Monica Sesman, MA

Alejandro Martini Morel, PhD

Helen Sellicoff, PhD

Scott Woolley, PhD

Sean Davis, PhD

Steve Brown, PhD

Miguel Gallardo, PhD

Wendel Ray, PhD

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