Intersectionality & Equity in Therapeutic Practices Certificate

The Intersectionality & Equity in Therapeutic Practices Certificate (IETPC) at CIIS provides a comprehensive overview of intersectionality and equity and their clinical application in the field of therapy and other therapeutic healing modalities. Facilitators and guest instructors foster an experiential and intimate space to explore intersectionality and equity and how these topics relate to participants' personal and professional lives. By bringing together concepts of equity, diversity, power and privilege, racial, disability, and LGBTQIA+ justice, IETPC provides students with an integrative and robust framework by which to approach their various therapeutic and relational healing practices.

Courses in the Intersectionality & Equity in Therapeutic Practices Certificate cover: the therapeutic relationship across difference; working with ancestry and lineage in the therapeutic setting; trauma in the Indigenous community and Black community; ableism; xenophobia ; sexuality and gender bias; anti-Blackness in the field of mental health; somatics of whiteness; an overview of how intersecting systems of oppression impact the therapeutic relationship and concepts of health and healing.

CIIS' history of contributions in the fields of counseling psychology, integral health, and social justice form the basis for our approach to the certificate. Students will learn from a diverse array of instructors and engage in multiple teaching modalities—including somatics, group process, individual reflection, meditation, Caucus spaces, and experiential practices. In addition, the facilitators will pay specific attention to different learning styles and different cultural representations within the participant cohort. Facilitators and students will question and deconstruct the social structures and foundations of western psychology.

This semester long training is suitable for psychotherapists, counselors, social workers, couples’ therapists, coaches, and allied professionals who are committed to more equitable and accessible therapy. We especially encourage applications from individuals within the above list who: identify as Black, Indigenous, and people of color; identify as LGBTQIA+, and/or serve marginalized or under-represented populations. This certificate program is geared towards those who have a basic but foundational understanding of structural and systemic oppression such as Cis-Hetero-Patriarchy, White Supremacy and Capitalism.

Types of professionals for whom this program applies include:

• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC)
• Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT)
• Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) 
• Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (PsyD)
• Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners (MD & NP)
• Certified Coaches
• Counselors
• Allied Professionals

The Intersectionality & Equity in Therapeutic Practices Certificate program is offered by an accredited academic institution, and provides BBS Continuing Education Credits (CEs) for California licensed LCSWs, LPCCs, LEPs, and LMFTs. This program is delivered through online live synchronous instruction. Participants meet virtually via Zoom on multiple weekends. Upon completion of the virtual weekends, students will receive a digital certificate of completion through Accredible, along with a BBS Continuing Education Certificate for completed hours upon request.

Why Join IETPC?

• Learn how to bring justice work to your healing profession.
• Build community and receive support in your own liberatory journey from facilitators, instructors, and fellow cohort members.
• Learn from experts in the fields of equity, diversity, power, privilege, race, disability, and LGBTQIA+ justice.
• Develop a deeper understanding of mental health professions from both a modern and historical perspective.
• Begin the lifelong journey of bringing concepts of intersectionality to your clinical practice.

Disclaimer: This certificate provides intersectionality and equity training for those working within the therapeutic frame, but does not certify a practitioner to offer ‘therapy’ services.

Learn more about the Intersectionality & Equity in Therapeutic Practices Certificate and how to apply at our Details Page.
Explore who is teaching courses at our Instructors Page.
Learn answers to your questions by going to our Frequently Asked Questions Page.
Learn from past Certificate students by reading their Testimonials on IETPC.

To learn more about the program and the types of professionals for whom it applies and for questions about this certificate, please contact Kyle DeMedio at kdemedio@ciis.edu or (415) 655-5561.

About CIIS Public Programs

CIIS Public Programs produces events and continuing education opportunities for people who are curious about themselves and the world. Our programs and podcast further personal and social transformation by bringing together the diverse voices of visionaries, artists, and scholars to share compelling experiences, offer new perspectives, and expand creative horizons. Public Programs enhances and reflects the academic mission of California Institute of Integral Studies.

Anti-Racist/Inclusion Statement

CIIS Public Programs is committed to providing an open, fair, inclusive, non-discriminatory environment for all individuals across differences of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, socio-economic status, ethnicity, age, physical ability, and/or medical condition. Through our programming, we strive to amplify the voices of those who have historically been under-represented. We commit to use our various platforms to uplift the stories and teachings of Black, Indigenous, and other people of color; those in the LGBTQIA+ community; and all those whose lives emerge from the intersections of multiple identities.