Urban Life and Mental Health Counseling I

This is a year-long course aimed at understanding the mental health counseling concerns of people who live in urban settings. In 2020 80% of the United States population lived within urban areas (U.S. Census, 2020). Given increasing urbanization across the globe, some research projects that by 2050 two thirds of the global population will live in urban areas. As such it is imperative for mental health counselors to understand the unique circumstances of urban life and how they impact lifespan development and mental wellbeing. This course will use the lenses of ecological, decolonial and liberation psychology theory to critically examine sources of mental distress, mental wellness as well as counseling approaches used to enhance the lives of urban dwellers. Lecture, reflective writing practices, and group discussions emphasizing critical consciousness will be used to foster learning. Moreover, students will engage in collaborative group work to learn the role of social justice advocacy in addressing structural problems impacting mental health outcomes.