The mission of the Center is to train, educate, mentor, and prepare a cadre of professionals to address mental health disparities, and serve culturally diverse individuals and communities locally and across the globe.
The Center's vision is to inspire and empower students, clinicians, educators, and other providers as agents of social justice with a passion for and commitment to serving historically marginalized populations.
CMGMH is comprised of academic programs at William James College that focus primarily on historically marginalized groups and underserved communities.
CMGMH offers transformative immersion experiences that will expose, inform, and deepen students' knowledge, cultural awareness and sensitivity, and cultural fluency.
The LMHP
is an intensive training program. Understanding that students may have a
variety of interests, however, we have tried to keep the requirements at a
level to allow students the flexibility to still take other electives.
Similarly, while the doctoral project in the Psy.D. program must include a
Latino focus, students can investigate any topic of interest to them and simply
highlight how the topic pertains to Latinos.
The LMHP
routinely admits both students who have a Latino ethnic background as well as
those who do not. The focus is on teaching the cultural competence through
didactics that give students the opportunity to learn about about all the
different Latin cultures, immersion trips to experience cultures different from
one's own, and clinical work (field placements in settings with a high number
of Latinos and training in psychological assessment at the Brenner Center where
you learn how to administer the Spanish language versions of psychological
instruments).
Ideally,
we want everyone to experience both summer immersion programs. We realize,
however, that there are certain situations when that may not be feasible. The
LMHP Director will review each case individually and make exceptions
accordingly. In cases where the second immersion is waived, the student will
complete a local alternative.
We aim
to admit students who have at least an intermediate degree of Spanish fluency.
The coursework is predominately in English, however, typically 25% of your
fieldwork service will involve providing services in Spanish. During the two
summer immersion trips, the program provides intensive Spanish language
instruction individually tailored to your level with the aim of finishing the
program with a solid intermediate-advanced level of Spanish.
It is
mandatory to live with the host families during the summer trips. We believe
that this allows for a more intensive socio-cultural experience. Every attempt
is made to place you in a host family setting that will meet your individual
needs. For example, if you are a vegan we can assign you a family that can
prepare meals in this manner.
We
understand that the immersion trips can be difficult for students who have
young children. LMHP students may have visitors, including their children,
during the immersion trip. Visitors must pay their own travel fare and
accommodations. The LMHP student is welcome to stay with their family while
they visit on the weekends.
Q: What concentrations are offered through the Center for Multicultural & Global Mental Health (CMGMH)?
A: There are three CMGMH concentrations: African & Caribbean Mental Health, Global Mental Health, and the Latino Mental Health Program.
Q: Can I enroll in more than one concentration?
A: Yes! Many of the students in CMGMH concentrations are enrolled in more than one concentration. In addition, concentrations can be completed at one of two levels: “Major Area of Study” or “Emphasis”.
Q: What’s the difference between a “Major Area of Study” and an “Emphasis”?
A: Students enrolled in a PsyD Program can complete a CMGMH concentration at the “Major Area of Study” level. This requires between 8-9 course credits, depending on the concentration. Students enrolled in a Master’s or PsyD Program can complete a CMGMH concentration at the “Emphasis” level. This requires between 4-5 course credits, depending on the concentration.
Q: Do I have to participate in an international immersion trip? I don't think I can spend that much time away from home.
A: No, you do not have to participate in an international immersion trip. There are opportunities for local immersions that won't require you leaving home and will still fulfill the concentration requirements.
Q: If I declare a CMGMH concentration, will I have to do my Doctoral Project on that topic?
A: Students who are completing a concentration as a Major Area of Study are required to do a doctoral project on a topic germane to their concentration. It is recommended that at least one of their doctoral project committee members be a CMGMH faculty or a professional with substantial experience or expertise in the field. Students who are completing an Emphasis are encouraged (but not required) to choose a doctoral project with a focus on the population of interest.
Q: How will a CMGMH concentration affect my field placement choices?
Students in a CMGMH concentration will complete their practicum or internship placements at clinical training sites that have been approved by the concentration directors. The list of approved training sites can be accessed via SSIG. Also, at least 25% of the training experience will be with culturally diverse clients or organizations that serve the population of interest.
Q: Are there other requirements that I should know about?
A: To support students’ professional growth and development, CMGMH requires that all concentration students attend at least one Continuing Education (CE) event annually that is sponsored or approved by the Center for Multicultural & Global Mental Health.
Q: I saw that October 15, 2016 was the deadline to apply for a concentration. It is past the deadline but I still would like to declare a concentration. What do I do?
A: October 15th was the official deadline, but you may be able to declare a concentration up until registration for spring courses. There will be an additional opportunity to declare CMGMH concentrations in the spring. Contact the director of the concentration that you are interested in applying for to find out if you are still able to declare.
Q: What is the enrollment process?
A: CMGMH concentrations are open to all WJC students who have a strong interest in serving historically marginalized individuals, families and communities. To enroll, students should download and complete both the Concentration Application Form and the Concentration Declaration Form from the Registrar’s Office webpage, and submit it to the concentration director. The Concentration Declaration Form must first be reviewed by the student’s advisor. Students typically apply in the fall semester of their first year and begin courses during the second semester of their first year.
Q: I am interested in learning more about the international immersion programs. Who do I contact?
A: Students who are interested in the Ecuador immersion program should contact Dr. Mari Carmen Bennasar (mari_bennasar@williamjames.edu).
Students who are interested in the Guyana immersion program should contact Dr. Natalie Cort (natalie_cort@williamjames.edu).
Students who are interested in the Haiti immersion program should contact Dr. Gemima St. Louis (gemima_stlouis@williamjames.edu) and Dr. Jill Bloom (jill_bloom@williamjames.edu).
Students who are interested in the Kenya immersion program should contact Dr. Claire Fialkov (claire_fialkov@williamjames.edu) and Dr. David Haddad (david_haddad@williamjames.edu).
Q: Where can I find additional information about CMGMH concentrations?
If you have any questions about the concentration requirements, please email cmgmh@williamjames.edu or contact the concentration directors:
African & Caribbean Mental Health: Dr. Gemima St. Louis (gemima_stlouis@williamjames.edu)
Global Mental Health: Dr. Jill Bloom (jill_bloom@williamjames.edu)
Latino Mental Health: Dr. Mari Carmen Bennasar (mari_bennasar@williamjames.edu)
