Note: Unfortunately, the words "diversity," "equity," and "inclusion" have become activators for unhelpful and unhealthy discourse. I debated removing this section from my website but elected to let it remain as I find it important to not wait for the light to return; but rather to carry it with me through the darkness.

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My training as a counselor and a counselor educator and supervisor, along with my time spent in the counseling field and world of academia, affords me copious opportunities to serve as a social justice advocate rooted in cultural competence and cultural humility. Participating in the world of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) means contributing to change on an individual, interpersonal, and systemic level. Courtland C. Lee asked, “what do I do and why do I do it? How do I do it? Who do I do it for? What do I believe about my clients [and students, colleagues, and neighbors]? Am I committed to fostering and supporting a society that is more enlightened, just, and humane through my life and work?” These questions guide my work and contribute to my purpose.

 

Personal Efforts

 

      I focus much of my time learning about and acknowledging my privilege in my work pertaining to culture. Awareness of my privilege allows me to recognize that I have power, access, advantage, and an overall majority status as a White, male, cisgender, middle-class, able-bodied, college-educated, employed, financially stable individual. Although my identity as a gay man is of minority status and has contributed to experiencing marginalization and oppression, this does not take away from the privilege experienced in other parts of my life. Because of my privilege, I have dedicated much of my time and energy towards DEI efforts in my personal and professional life since entering the mental health and academic fields. 

 

      Of primary interest to me lately has been doing work involving cultural humility. Although not a new concept, I gravitated towards learning more about cultural humility while completing my doctorate. Cultural humility moves individuals into a realm of self-reflection and a commitment to ongoing learning about the lived experiences of others, particularly those from diverse backgrounds. While the knowledge, skills, and awareness that accompany cultural competence are essential, it is the ability to recognize what I don’t know and be open to learning about those voids in knowledge, skills, and awareness that is of utmost importance to me. 

 

      Aside from my work on cultural humility, I participate in ongoing efforts for development via continuing education and participating in activities with my current employer. The doctoral program I completed was rooted in social justice and social change. My dissertation topic focused on understanding the self-efficacy of counselors-in-training working with transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. I continue to participate in and facilitate DEI conscious inclusion dialogue groups when the opportunities present themselves. I am always learning from others. 

 

Work with Graduate Students

 

I make a conscious effort to weave discussion of culture and DEI into every class I teach, including practicum and internship classes. I treat both cultural considerations and DEI efforts as a golden thread woven through every component of a program designed to train emerging mental health professionals. Students must be prepared to meet a diverse range of needs based on cultural identity upon completing their graduate or doctoral program. For this reason, I take every opportunity available to discuss cultural competence and cultural humility with students while also recognizing the opportunity to learn from our clients about their real-world lived experiences. It takes a village, and the learning never stops. 

 

Efforts in the Field

 

      As I previously mentioned, much of a doctoral journey was rooted in the concepts of social change and DEI efforts. I continue to expand my understanding of advocacy and DEI on an ongoing basis. My commitment within and outside of my systems is to continue to develop cultural competence and humility, engage with ethical reasoning regarding issues surrounding DEI, and further explore how my privilege, acculturation, and worldview impact my reality and my truth. While doing this work, I have committed much of my scholarship and research to opportunities relating to social justice, cultural competence and humility, and DEI efforts.