Getting Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable: Approaches to Training in Culturally Relevant Consultation

• Published in: Journal of educational and psychological consultation 2024-10, Vol.34 (4), p.373-406
• Main Authors: Cooper, Jennifer McGrory, Holmes, Shannon R., Kaiser, Lauren T., Miranda, Antoinette Halsell
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Consultants; Educational psychology; Multiculturalism & pluralism; Pedagogy; School psychologists; Social justice; Training
• ISSN: 1047-4412; 1532-768X
• DOI: 10.1080/10474412.2024.2311370

Consultation represents a core psychological practice and competency area for school psychologists, and it is critical that it accounts for the experiences of all individuals it is designed to support. Grounded in multiculturalism, cultural humility, and social justice, we argue that culturally relevant consultation is necessary to realize equitable and meaningful outcomes for minoritized youth in schools. The purpose of this manuscript is to present a model of teaching culturally relevant consultation. Specifically, we propose a preservice training model that includes (a) awareness of relevant theories and personal identities, experiences, biases, and existing knowledge; (b) conceptual knowledge of culturally relevant consultation practice; (c) acquisition of culturally relevant consultation skills; (d) application of culturally relevant consultation skills; and (e) ongoing self-assessment and reflection on social justice dispositions. This paper contributes to what we know about culturally relevant consultation training and provides future directions for training and research in this area.