Arizona Counselors Explore Social Justice

Approximately 100 counselors, educators and students from across the state met to examine social justice issues in counseling at the recent Arizona Counselors Association (AzCA) conference, with the theme, Cross Cultural Counseling: Issues and Interventions for Promoting Social Justice.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Courtland Lee, a counselor educator and department chair at the University of Maryland and a leader in multicultural counseling and social justice. Some conference sessions focused on immigration issues related to the counseling profession and refugee mental health, as well as counseling clients that identify their gender as LGBTQ. Throughout the conference, personal narratives helped explore the need for knowledge, skills, awareness and resources for counselors working with a range of clients.

“This conference unified Arizona counselors in a forum addressing serious social justice challenges affecting marginalized individuals. AzCA wants every counselor in Arizona to have a voice, but we need counselors who are willing to commit to leadership roles to perpetuate our mission,” said AzCA President Dr. Jennifer Walker.

The AzCA mission is to promote the development of counselors and use the profession and practice of counseling to improve the quality of life for all Arizona citizens.

For more information about the Arizona Counselors Association, visit AzCA.org.