Diversity and Inclusion

Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy Program Diversity Statement

The Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy program is committed to social equity in the practice of family therapy. The MCFT program defines diversity as an embracing of differences in race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, nations of origin, religion, abilities, age, and socioeconomic status; understanding the implications of these differences in context and taking responsibility for actions that may bring balance, respect, repair, coexistence and collaboration. We seek to bring together therapists-in-training who have a wide variety of experiences in order to learn from each other and explore the impact of their own societal context on their future work. Toward this end, we invite applicants from all socioeconomic status, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, nations of origin, ethnicities, ages, religions, and abilities.

Responsibility to social justice is reflected in the MCFT program mission, goals, and associated Student Learning Outcomes. It is integrated throughout every aspect of the program. Emphasis on equity and social justice aligns with the missions of the Lewis & Clark College, Graduate School, and Counseling Psychology department, including:

From the College

• We are a community that commits itself to diversity and sustainability as dimensions of a just society. 

From the Graduate School

• Serving every student by providing a learning environment built around the values and practices associated with critical thinking, individual growth, and social justice.
• Offering a curriculum that reflects the theories, techniques, research, modes of application, and contemporary reform movements within each professional field. 
• Preparing graduates to be change agents who transform society. 

From the Department of Counseling Psychology

• We expect faculty and students to reflect deeply on our own emotional, psychological, relational, and cultural patterns, assumptions, and biases - continually raising our social awareness.
• We believe there are many ways to look at the world, and we value a convergence of theoretical perspectives including systemic, critical, social constructionist, developmental, ecological, and contextual approaches to working with individuals, families, and communities. 
• We believe it is essential to challenge systems of power and privilege as they relate to the quality of life and the well-being of all persons. This entails confronting systems of oppression that create and maintain emotional, psychological, physical, and relational suffering. 
• We are dedicated to supporting social and relational equity, cultural and economic democracy, and good citizenship within our programs, the broader community, and the world.

Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy Program Anti-Discrimination Policy

The MCFT program not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived socioeconomic status, ethnicities, race, color, sex, religion, age, marital status, national origin, the presence of any physical or sensory disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. This antidiscrimination policy applies to our practices around recruitment, admission, codes of conduct, hiring, retention, and dismissal of students, faculty, and supervisors.

As described in the GSEC Navigator Student Handbook, Lewis & Clark College has a firm commitment to promote the letter and spirit of all equal opportunity and civil rights laws, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and their implementing regulations.

Questions regarding Title IX may be directed to Lewis  &  Clark’s Title IX coordinator or a deputy Title IX coordinator. Contact information can be found at go.lclark.edu/about/title_ix. Questions regarding Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act may be directed to Lewis  &  Clark’s associate vice president of human resources.

Concerns regarding Title IX or other civil rights issues may also be directed to:

Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
Seattle Office
915 Second Avenue, Room 3310
Seattle, Washington 98174-1099
Phone: 206-607-1600
Fax: 206-607-1601
TDD: 800-877-8339
OCR.Seattle@ed.gov5