Educational Initiatives
To facilitate the development of awareness of and sensitivity to issues of diversity and
culture, the residency using a variety of educational initiatives:
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Weekly Seminars: Diversity is addressed in the three seminars. In the Diagnostic/Treatment
Seminar, when a patient is discussed, there is a cultural diversity component in which the
residents identify cultural/diversity factors that could be contributing to the patient’s
symptoms or would affect the patient’s treatment. In the Psychotherapy Process Seminar, the
residents present a therapy session with a patient and then discuss the therapy session
subsequently. Diversity issues related to the patient and the clinician are addressed as a
routine aspect of the seminar discussion. In the Professional Issues Seminar, there are
explicit didactics included in the curriculum.
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Psychology of Women Seminar (optional) – Residents can participate in a Psychology of
Women reading/discussion seminar. This group meets twice a month. The reading group
assigns readings relevant to the psychology of women, in general, and related to specific
topics of interest to the resident or faculty.
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Family Therapy Seminar (optional) – Residents can participate in a family therapy seminar.
This group meets once a week on Friday afternoon. Issues related to family dynamics and
therapy are addressed as well as a significant emphasis on diversity and cultural concerns
within the family.
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Workshops: Since 1997 workshops directed toward cultural/diversity issues have been
designed and facilitated to include as much faculty participation as possible. Since that time,
yearly full-day to half-day workshops on cultural/diversity issues in clinical practice have
been conducted with a supervising faculty participation rate of approximately 70 percent
(resident attendance is required). Examples of past workshops include the following:
o 1999: “Awareness, Skills, and Action: Dimensions of Multicultural Counseling”
Presenter: Rosemary Phelps, Ph.D.
o 2000: “Cross Cultural Workshop”
Presenter: Major Carla Long, Ph.D.
o 2001: “Multicultural Factors in Psychology”
Presenter: Major Carla Long, Ph.D.
o 2002: “Sexual Orientation Diversity: Issues and Challenges in Psychotherapy”
Presenter: Lara Stepleman, Ph.D.
o 2003: “The Fourth Force - Multiculturalism: Adding Flavor to Psychology”
Presenter: Judi-Lee Nelson, Ph.D.
o 2003: “Sexual 0rientation diversity & psychotherapy: Current issues and trends”
Presenter: Lara Stepleman, Ph.D.
o 2004: “Ethical considerations in the treatment of diverse populations”
Presenter: Lara Stepleman, Ph.D.
o 2005: “A primer on black mental health and well-being.”
Presenter: Rheeda Walker, Ph.D.
o 2005: “Gender in psychotherapy: What’s the difference?”
Presenter: Amy House, Ph.D.
o 2005: “Ethical considerations in the treatment of diverse populations”
Presenter: Lara Stepleman, Ph.D.
o 2006: "Psychiatry and Religious Faith/Spirituality”
Presenters: P. Alex Mabe, Ph.D., Sandra Sexson, M.D., Lynn Tyson, M.D., Father Andy
Menger, Father Daniel Munn, Reverend Robert Williams
o 2007: “Serving the Growing Latino Community: Meeting Clients Where They are
'At' "
Presenters: Claudia Becerra, MA, Gwen Davies, Ph.D, Sarah Lopez, Ph.D., and Ron Rosa, BA
o 2008: “Delivery Psychological Services in Rural Areas”
Presenters: John D. Murray, Ph.D. & Pam Feldt, Ph.D.
o 2009: “Multicultural Perspectives on Religion/Spirituality and Health”
Presenter: Mary A. Fukuyama, Ph.D.
o 2010: “Children, Families, and Trauma: A Relational Approach”
Presenter: Dr. Kenneth Hardy
o 2011: “Context and Connection: Genograms, Home Place, and Transforming Life
Narratives”
Presenter: Dr. Monica Goldrick
o 2012: “The Person of the Therapist in the Therapy Dyad: Exploring Intersections of
Culture, Power, and Privilege in Psychotherapy.”
Presenter: Dr. Karen Suyemoto
o 2013 “Innovative Interventions with Distressed and Traumatized Youth”
Presenter: Dr. Kenneth Hardy
o Residents also attend other workshops that relate to diversity such as the Combat
Stress Workshop.
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Work Sample: Residents complete a written work sample in which a treatment case
formulation and treatment plan demonstrates an empirically-based and interdisciplinary
approach to treatment. The work samples must directly address the pertinent cultural data
obtained that guided the conceptualization of the case and the development of the treatment
plan.
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Weekly Grand Rounds: Residents attend grand round presentations weekly that often include
diversity topics. For some examples, see this list of past grand rounds presentations:
http://www.gru.edu/colleges/medicine/psychiatry/grandrounds/grandrounds.php
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HIV and MS Diversity Reading Group – During the Medical Psychology rotation, residents
meet with Dr. Lara Stepleman once a week to discuss diversity-related articles related to the
HIV and MS population.
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Cultural Competency PDF Library – Residents are also provided a plethora of resources on
diversity and cultural competency.