Internationalized Intersectional Experiential Learning Environments That Go Beyond U.S. Contexts

Abstract

Despite significant growth and development of the counseling profession, there continues to be less emphasis placed upon systemically oriented training and counseling approaches that consider international contexts. Experts have identified a need to tailor culturally congruent couples and family-based approaches to specific international sociocultural contexts, and therefore couples, marriage, and family counselors in training (CMFC-ITs) need to be better prepared to collaborate with clients from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Intersectional experiential learning environments are suggested as a means to encourage students to consider how they might approach couples and family counseling in diverse international contexts. Experiential learning environments have the potential to promote knowledge, cross-cultural awareness, and skill acquisition for CMFC-Its, while simultaneously advancing dialogue regarding the training and practice of systems-based international counseling approaches through collaboration with international experts, local practitioners, educators, and cultural insiders. A case example of an intersectional experiential learning environment is provided to assist counselor educators in tailoring and coconstructing experiential learning environments appropriate to their contextual circumstances.