Graduate Programs | Cazenovia College

Project Implications for the Helping Professions

Aspiring counselors, like those in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, cannot meet objectives like demonstrating an understanding of the nature of biases without analyzing their own backgrounds, then drawing connections to social and cultural systems. By understanding the dynamics of our upbringing, we can question and challenge our worldviews. Are we stuck in cultural tunnel vision? Are we capable of working with those who are not like us?

Communication Patterns

Communication patterns within social systems emerge over time spent in that environment. This is important to assess when training to work in the counseling field. Creating and maintaining a family narrative is common, particularly related to guiding sentiments or proverbs. Using proverbs is another way to reinforce expected or desired behaviors within the family.

Tradition and Family

Humans interact in communities and family systems in symbolic ways, exchanging meaning through patterns and symbols. Some examples include annual parties, holiday celebrations, treasured heirlooms, use of cultural identifiers like a crucifix or shamrock, as well as recipes and food. These act as a powerful unifying force and embody the crux of symbolic interactionism.

Theory and Student Connection

Psychological sense of community (PSOC) can be described as belonging to a larger structure with benefits of interdependence (Sarason, 1974). Although psychological sense of community is more complex than simply belonging to a community. It also involves a sense of loyalty, connection, and trust while holding a duality of influence; the individual influences the community while also being molded by the community.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Cazenovia College: What Projects are Students Working On?

Students in a clinical graduate program like Mental Health Counseling spend a significant amount of time assessing personal biases. Introductory course assignments focus on family of origin and how one’s upbringing impacts their overall worldview. Taking a systems perspective, students begin to dissect the roles of family, community, cultural nuance, and sociopolitical issues and how these have shaped their perspectives.