by Laura Mathis
The Counseling Department hosted an “Inclusion In-Service,” that asked counselors to focus on their experiences through the lens of early encounters with “difference.” Counseling faculty received descriptions of individuals on the backs of puzzle pieces and were asked to reflect on these encounters. They were then asked to consider these early experiences in the context of individual counseling practice. At the end, faculty assembled the puzzle, which formed a tree with roots (biases, social identity, education, heritage, and personality traits) and fruits (positive words that describe the counseling relationship). The in-service was developed and facilitated by Laura Mathis and Dr. Judy Sundayo, with follow-up sessions planned for future department meetings.

