Waynesburg University
Graduate Counseling Program Writing Prompt
The mission of the Waynesburg University is to integrate faith, service, and learning into education to help students transform their communities and the world. Multicultural awareness is a key component of the counseling vocation that ensures that counselors can best serve their clients. The Graduate Counseling Program uses service learning and mindful reflection as a part of our curriculum to help students grow in their understanding of themselves and those around them. Please review the three brief research article abstracts that are provided below. Citations are not necessary. After you review these resources, answer the following prompt in a 2 to 3 page written response. Your response should demonstrate some connection between the provided abstracts and your personal understanding of the subject:
What are some benefits of integrating multicultural awareness, service to others, and self-reflection into counselor education? How do you hope to benefit as counselor-in-training from your time at Waynesburg University?Resources:Article 1: Training Counseling Students to Develop Group Leadership Self-Efficacy and Multicultural Competence Through Service Learning
By: Midgett, Aida, Hausheer, Robin, Doumas, Diana M., Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 01933922, Sep2016, Vol. 41, Issue 3
Abstract: This article describes a service-learning project designed to increase student group leadership self-efficacy and multicultural competence. Students facilitated debriefing groups for campus and community members after they participated in a theater production aimed at increasing awareness of oppression, power, and privilege. Students completed pre- and posttest measures to evaluate this approach. After completing the project, there was a significant increase in students' group leadership self-efficacy and a trend toward significance in multicultural knowledge. However, there was no change in multicultural awareness. Implications for incorporating service learning as a teaching strategy in counselor education preparing students to conduct group work are discussed.
Article 2: The Relationship Between Mindfulness and Multicultural Counseling Competence.
By: Ivers, Nathaniel N.; Johnson, David A.; Clarke, Philip B.; Newsome, Deborah W.; Berry, Rachel A. Journal of Counseling & Development. Jan2016, Vol. 94 Issue 1, p72-82. 11p. 3 Charts. DOI: 10.1002/jcad.12063. , Database: Academic Search Premier
Abstract: The authors examined the association between multicultural counseling competence (MCC) and mindfulness. Previous authors have maintained a conceptual link between MCC and mindfulness; however, this is the first empirical analysis of the relationship between MCC and mindfulness. Results revealed that, after race/ethnicity, multicultural course completion, and empathy were controlled, components of mindfulness were correlated with multicultural awareness and multicultural knowledge. These results have implications for counselor education, counseling practice, and future research.
Article 3: Integration or Separation? Addressing Religious and Spiritual Issues in Multicultural Counseling: A National Survey of College Counselors.
By: Smith, T.B., Lyon, R.C., & O’Grady, K. Journal of College Counseling. Oct2019, Vol. 22 Issue 3, p194-210. 17p.
Abstract: Given contemporary ethical concerns, the authors conducted a national survey of 216 college counselors' perceptions of integrating religious and spiritual issues in multicultural counseling and counselor education. Using cluster analysis, the authors identified 4 patterns of commitments to multiculturalism and religiosity. Respondents demonstrated ethical bracketing in that they considered religious and spiritual issues favorably within the framework of multicultural counseling, irrespective of their commitments to those topics. Counselors can openly address spiritual and religious diversity.
