CFR Research on Multicultural Competence in Counseling Shared at Jefferson College of Health Professions Research Day

22 March 2018 | On March 22, 2018, the Jefferson College of Health Professions (JCHP) hosted a Research Day to showcase current and future research projects. It was an opportunity for faculty to learn and share about research across JCHP, meet the deans, and hear their vision for research and collaboration in the “new” Thomas Jefferson University. (TJU merged with Philadelphia University in 2017).

The event included a faculty panel on which Staff Therapist and Faculty Member Dr. Sara Corse spoke about her research on the development of multicultural competence in counseling through CFR’s Community Partnerships Initiative. She is studying how providing individual, family and group therapy on site at our partner agencies uniquely contributes to multicultural counseling skill development.  Her research explores this topic through in-depth interviews with both students and the clients they serve.

The Community Partnerships Initiative (CPI) extends the reach of therapeutic services to help individuals and families heal from trauma, improve mental and emotional wellbeing, and re-establish healthy relationships through collaborative partnerships. CPI eliminates common barriers to receiving mental health care by offering on-site, no-cost therapeutic services that are responsive to client and agency needs throughout the greater Philadelphia area.

CPI partners include Acts Christian Transitional Services, Eliza Shirley House, Families Forward Philadelphia, HELP Philadelphia, Nationalities Services Center, Boy’s Latin Charter School, Mother’s Home, Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network, Project HOME, Red Cross House, Freire Charter School, and Southwark School.

Council for Relationships’ Master’s Degree Program in Marriage and Family Therapy is offered in partnership with Thomas Jefferson University. The program faculty members are also Staff Therapists at Council for Relationships.