Relational Cultural Theory: A Guiding Framework for Study Abroad Experiences

Faculty led-study abroad programs promote cultural competence and professional and personal development for students. However, students from historically marginalized and underrepresented groups do not participate in these experiences at the same rate as students from majority cultures. Counselor educators must seek ways to recruit diverse populations to promote equity in and access to international education experiences. Relational Cultural Theory (RCT) provides a guiding framework for counselor educators to diversify study abroad programs while also attending to cultural and power dynamics. Implications for counselor educators and recommendations for future research are also included

The Impact of a Counseling Techniques Course on Self-efficacy and Stigma

Abstract: Authors analyzed data from counseling trainees in a skills course to examine self-efficacy and stigma. It was hypothesized that self-efficacy would increase, self-stigma would decrease, and that increased self-efficacy would decrease self-stigma in CTs. Increased self-efficacy was statistically significant, but self-efficacy changes did not predict decreased self-stigma. Increased self-efficacy was predictive of self-stigma related to help-seeking. Authors offer implications for counselor educators and counselors. What is the public significance of this article? This study suggests that self-efficacy increases in counseling trainees across a clinical skills course, and that this self-efficacy also predicts the stigma trainees felt about seeking help for a mental health concern. Although it was expected that a skills course would help increase self-efficacy, the study suggests that increased self-efficacy does not relate to the stigma that trainees feel about mental health treatment