Catalog 2011-2012 [v2] [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Counseling Psychology with Emphasis on Family and Communities: MA, Mexico City
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Master’s Level Practitioners
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 and Latin American originating clinical theories and educational modalities. The primary aim of the program is to train students to be competent clinicians prepared to work in an increasing 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 a Certificate in Latin American Family Therapy.
The standard curriculum is two years. 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.
Program Goals and Objectives
Students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the counseling theories for addressing 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.
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Coursework
This innovative training program uses traditional face-to-face teaching methods, weeklong intensives, as well as occasional online distance learning instruction. All instruction occurs in English. Classes are typically taught in the evening with occasional weeklong intensives in the more applied areas of counseling. While students will be part of a cohort of students, students will also have opportunities to take some courses with students in multiple universities and national contexts. Additionally, master’s students are required to complete a minimum of 50 professional development hours (such as workshops, in-service trainings, professional conferences, and individual, family or group therapy experiences). Although not required, 25 of the 50 hours may be completed through personal therapy experience.
The unique location and nature of the program allows the program to attract internationally known experts and authors with established knowledge in the specific course content areas taught in the program. Students have the added enriching opportunity of taking classes with international immersion program participants from around the world and with students in the Marriage and Family Therapy Mexico Satellite program. Although not a program requirement, non-Spanish speaking students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of Spanish language coursework specifically designed for future mental health professionals that is available at the Mexico City site. In addition to offering the Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology, the program hopes to help address the language barrier that Latino clients often face when seeking competent mental health services.
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 a document 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. Required Latin American Focused Coursework:
PSY 6654 - Latin American & Liberation Psychology (3 units)
PSY 6643 - Critical Issues in Latin America (3 units) Required General Counseling Coursework:
Optional Courses to Qualify for the LPC License:
PSY 6303 - Group Therapy (3 units, optional)
(3 units, optional)* Master’s of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MA) Teaching Faculty
Jason Platt, PhD, Program Director
Laura Patricia Betancourt Arriaga, PhD
Debora Mondellini, MA
Alejandro Martini Morel, PhD
Helen Sellicoff, PhD
Luis Vargas, PhD
Scott Woolley, PhD
Sean Davis, PhD
Steve Brown, PhD
Miguel Gallardo, PhD
Wendel Ray, PhD |
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