Equipping College Counselors to Serve International Students GCCA 2017 Conference Christopher Wheelus LPC LMFT CPCS Director of Student Support Services Shorter University Paul Cherono MDiv ID: 772528
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Equipping College Counselors to Serve International Students GCCA 2017 Conference Christopher Wheelus, LPC, LMFT, CPCSDirector of Student Support ServicesShorter University Paul Cherono, MDiv Counseling Intern Richmont Graduate University / Shorter University
Learning Objectives Summarize international students’ challenges and help-seeking patternsDescribe international students’ view of American counseling and the counselorList 3 elements of outreach programming and therapeutic alliance with international students
Summarize – USA Stats
Summarize – Georgia Stats DISCUSS: What about your campus? (official and unofficial numbers)
AcculturationHow individuals adapt to a new culture (Berry, 1995)104 und/grad students, Midwest univ. (Sullivn & Kashubeck-West, 2015)Acculturative stress = accult stressors leading to lowered mental health status& Berry’s Acculturation modesMaintain relation to own culture: relation to host culture: integration assimilation separation marginalizationLower Accul Stress = Integration modeBroad based social support, esp. host nationalsSummarize - Challenges
Factors that contribute to adjustment and different phases of cultural adjustment (Mesidor & Sly, 2016) Culture adjustment Social adaptation – predicting factors are (per Zhang & Goodson(2011) meta-analysis ) ;stress, social support, English proficiency, region/country of origin, length of residence in the United States, acculturation, social interaction with Americans, self-efficacy, gender, and personalityAcademic adjustment – language, education system, financial, evaluationPsychological adjustment – loneliness, culture shock, somatic complaints such as headaches, anxiety, relationships
Support & Acculturative Stress:152 international students Midwestern Univ (Bai, 2016)Highest accul stress level; MidEast (but other studies = Asians)Cen/ Sou AmericaAfricaAmong all the variables, perceived support from school was the only significant predictor of acculturative stressPsychological symptoms: (Poyrazli, 2015)198 international students at Penn StateAcademics (71%)Career (60%)Stress (43%)Depression/Anxiety (34%)
Help-Seeking, Stigma, WorldviewOnly about 2% of international students seek psychological services (Poyrazli, 2015) Stigma: (Crocket & Hays, 2011; Onabule & Boes, 2013)Largely negative or neutral connotation of “counseling” based on home cultureBut, positive experiences with academic advisors, faculty, friendsHome culture stigma around psy disturbance
Likelihood to Seek Counseling: (Onabule & Boes, 2013)18 int’l students, focus group & survey Most would use counseling center for crisis, if they knew about itWestern myths Cream of the crop Wealthy families Experienced travelersNever use counseling services Seeking counseling peaked at 6mo and 4yrCounselor-specific factors that increase likelihood:friendliness, approachability, welcoming, warm, supportive
Outreach RecommendationsPresence at int’l student gatherings, clubs, orientation (Poyrazli, 2015)Brochure directed at int’l students (Poyrazli, 2015)Psy symptoms/concerns of int’l studentsSummary of services that address theseCollaborate with advisors, faculty, int’l student office staff (Crocket & Hays, 2011; Poyrazli, 2015)Info sessions and indiv/group sessions where int’l students frequent (Crocket & Hays, 2011)Support groups instead of one-on-one sessions (Crocket & Hays, 2011)Culturally appropriate services & MC competent counselors (Hwang, Bennett, & Beauchemin)
SummaryInternational Students’ challenges and help-seeking patternsEffects of acculturation stressHelp-seeking patterns Effects of Western influences on shaping help-seeking tendenciesResistance toward seeking helpInternational students’ worldview toward American therapy and the counselorSocial and cultural factors that influence help-seeking behaviorsCultural Stigma Towards mental illness Elements of outreach programming and therapeutic alliance with international studentsawareness and authentic relationshipprofessional knowledge and awareness minimize biases and stigma towards mental illness and seeking mental health servicesmental health help-seeking outreach or workshop for international students