Clinical Area Diversity Statement
The Clinical Area of the Department of Psychology at The Ohio State University is committed to prioritizing diversity and inclusion as core values of our program. We strive to create a learning and working environment enriched by individual and cultural diversity. We aim to cultivate an inclusive climate of respect for individual differences of all kinds, including race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration/documentation status, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, physical/mental abilities, religion, veteran status, and socioeconomic status. We seek to make diversity a focus in our graduate and undergraduate curricula, and to encourage use of empirically supported techniques for inclusive recruitment, assessment, and treatment in our research. In teaching, research, and clinical training, we seek to increase awareness of our cultural biases, and strive for cultural humility and empathy. We think it important to continuously increase cultural consciousness through ongoing dialogue. We believe attention to inclusion and diversity enhances well being of students, faculty, clients, and the broader community.
Diversity-related Training
Core Clinical Area Courses
In clinical area courses, we strive to spark deeper understanding by presenting and assigning diversity and inclusion-relevant materials. Core classes such as Clinical Services, Developmental Psychopathology, and Psychological Appraisal include coverage of topics such as disparities in mental health outcomes among stigmatized groups, racial bias in diagnosis and treatment, theoretical models of mental health disparities, and psychological assessment with diverse populations. Additional training in diversity-related topics is available in the department and throughout the University.
The “Brown Bag” Advanced Clinical Seminar
The clinical area also offers a weekly Brown Bag seminar each Spring semester. This seminar includes several speakers who focus on topics relevant to diversity and inclusion. Selected recent seminars/topics are listed below:
● Dr. Nicole Jackson (Columbus VA) – microaggressions in clinical practice and everyday life
● Dr. Michael Boroughs (University of Windsor) – body dysmorphic disorder among gay and bisexual men
● Dr. Fanita Tyrell (University of Minnesota): “Sociocultural Processes of Risk and Resilience in Adolescence”
● Briana Brownlow, Hunter Hahn, and Jocelyn Shoemake (clinical area students at OSU) – research methods for work with diverse populations: “Inclusive Research Practices”
● “Racism against Asians in the context of COVID-19”
Diversity in Clinical Practice
Clinical students begin seeing clients in their second year at the Psychological Services Center housed in the Psychology Building. As a result of the generous support of the department and college, the clinic is able to offer services at no charge to clients experiencing a wide range of concerns including anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, OCD, and trauma-related disorders, among others. We are proud to provide evidence-based psychotherapy to our clients without consideration of ability to afford services, and thus are able to serve traditionally under-served groups in central Ohio. In addition, we welcome clients from all social identity groups.
Clinical supervision focuses on improving competence in treating clients of diverse backgrounds. Relevant topics discussed in supervision include therapy with LGBTQ clients, intersectionality, incorporating clients’ religious beliefs and traditional values in treatment, barriers to treatment for individuals of low socioeconomic status, unique concerns faced by people of color, communication with clients for whom English is their second language, etc.
Advanced practica offer additional training to work with diverse populations. Students complete advanced practica at external sites such as OSU Counseling and Consultation Services (CCS), the Chalmers P. Wylie VA Ambulatory Care Center at the VA Central Ohio Healthcare System, the Department of Psychiatry OSU Wexner Medical Center clinics (including Women’s Behavioral Health, Anxiety and Stress Disorders, Neuropsychology, Transplant Services, Cardiology Services), Department of Family Medicine at the OSU Wexner Medical Center, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Further, we have advanced practica through the PSC, including: Behavioral Medicine, Depression Treatment and Research Clinic, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
Diversity in Research
The Department of Psychology at The Ohio State University is home to some of the world's leading researchers on studying diverse and underrepresented groups, some who are members of the clinical area. More information about individual labs conducting diversity research is available on the Psychology Department Diversity page.
Other Activities
There are a number of opportunities to become involved in areas related to diversity and inclusion both within the Clinical Area and in the broader University environment. A few of these activities are listed below.
Clinical Area Book Club
The Clinical Area Book Club is available for students and faculty interested in reading for professional development. The club meets 2-3 times per year to discuss a book chosen by student vote. To date, half of the books have been relevant to diversity and inclusions, such as:
● Why are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations about Race by Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum
● The Coach’s Guide for Women Professors Who Want a Successful Career and a Well-Balanced Life by Rena Seltzer
Clinical Area Diversity and Inclusion Working Group
This committee was formed out of the collective desire of clinical area faculty and students to enhance our area’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Members include both clinical area faculty and current clinical psychology graduate students. The committee is tasked with reviewing how diversity is incorporated into the curriculum and area activities, and to provide recommendations to refine the program.
Clinical Area Student Representative
Students have the opportunity to sit in on faculty meetings to convey information to the faculty regarding graduate student issues, and provide information back to the graduate student community based on faculty discussions. Representatives have the important position of maintaining open communication between graduate students and faculty.
Psychology Department Graduate Student Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
Graduate students have the opportunity to serve on the Psychology Department diversity committee. Students work with each other and faculty members to progress towards goals.
National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity
Membership available to all faculty, post-doctoral researchers, and graduate students
OSU Student Organizations
In addition to activities and groups within the Psychology Department, Ohio State is home to more than 1400 student organizations, which include those that build community around diverse identities and social justice (e.g., Black Graduate and Professional Student Caucus, Muslim Professional/Graduate Student Association). See activities.osu.edu for more information and to search for specific organizations.
About Us: Diversity at OSU
Diversity in OSU and Psychology Department
· As of 2021, OSU was the third-largest university in the nation, comprising nearly61,000 students. [https://facts.osu.edu/sites/default/files/documents/2023/03/Statistical%20Summary2022_23.pdf]
· Demographic information of the OSU student body is found below
○ An estimated 4.3% of Columbus residents identify as LGBTQ, among the largest LGBTQ populations in the nation (https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/21/upshot/the-metro-areas-with-the-largest-and-smallest-gay-population.html).
Diversity in Columbus
· In 2019, Columbus had an estimated population of 892,533. According to the Census Bureau, the demographic breakdown is as follows: White (59.5%), Black or African American (28.5%), Asian (5.7%), Hispanic or Latino (5.9%), two or more races (4.3%), American Indian or Alaskan Native (0.2%), Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (0.1%). Additional demographic information can be found through the Census Bureau (https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/columbuscityohio).
● LGBTQ:
○ The Human Rights Campaign gave the city of Columbus a score of 100/100 for policies related to protection and inclusivity of LGBTQ people, including non-discrimination laws, employment benefits, municipal services, law enforcement, and leadership on LGBTQ equality. More information can be found at (https://hrc-prod-requests.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/MEI-2022-Columbus-Ohio.pdf)
○ The City of Columbus is home to a number of organizations committed to the LGBTQ community, such as Stonewall Columbus (https://stonewallcolumbus.org/about/), the Black Queer & Intersectional Collective (BQIC; https://bqic.net/ ) and Equitas Health (one of the nation’s largest HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ healthcare organizations; https://equitashealth.com/about-us/).
○ Kaleidoscope Youth Center (KYC; https://www.kycohio.org/) is the largest and longest-standing organization in Ohio dedicated to serving and supporting queer youth.
● Want more information about diversity and inclusion efforts occuring in Columbus? Check out:
○ The Columbus Urban League (https://www.cul.org)
○ The mayor’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion (https://www.columbus.gov/Office-of-Diversity-and-Inclusion-(ODI)/)
○ Ohio State’s Multicultural Center off-campus resources https://odi.osu.edu/campus-living-resources
○ Resources on black-owned businesses in Columbus, e.g.,
https://blackoutcoalition.org/blackfood-columbus/
University Resources and Opportunities for Students
· The Ohio State University offers a number of resources and opportunities for students of diverse backgrounds.
· The Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI, https://odi.osu.edu/) provides wide-ranging programming, resources, support, and social events on campus.
· The Center for Belonging and Social Change (https://cbsc.osu.edu/) is located on campus in the Ohio Union. As described on their website, the CBSC offers “hundreds of programs a year--cultural and intercultural celebrations, heritage and awareness events, dialogues, workshops, student leadership and cohort meetings, prejudice-reduction trainings, wellness initiatives and Social Justice Engagement courses--all focused on teaching students personal and interpersonal skills necessary to be most effective in a diverse world. The CBSCwelcomes ALL students, faculty, staff and community members to our events while at the same time supporting and celebrating specific constituency groups (including African and African American, Asian and Asian American, American Indian/Indigenous, Hispanic/Latino, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Women, Men and Faith communities).”
· As part of a large university and medical center system, Clinical Area students have ample opportunity to attend seminars, grand rounds, and talks hosted by groups outside of the clinical area (e.g., the OSU Medical Center, OSU Public Health, Social Psychology), many of which focus on diversity-related work.
Support for Disabilities and Life Events
● Student Life Disability Services Center is located on campus in Baker Hall, located at 113 W 12th Ave. The Center aims to empower students with disabilities by providing accommodations and support so that education is accessible for all students. Click on the link to visit the SLDS website (https://slds.osu.edu/).
● The Student Advocacy Center is located in the Office of Student Life. Student Advocacy’s mission promotes student advocacy by helping students navigate various obstacles they may encounter at The Ohio State University. To learn more about their mission and services, please visit their website (http://advocacy.osu.edu/).
● ADA Coordinator Office “guides the University's efforts to move beyond compliance and toward seamless access” for employees. As graduate students in the Clinical Area, you will fulfill several roles which may include psychology trainee, student, and/or employee (teacher, course assistant, etc.). As an employee, the ADA coordinator office can process issues of accessibility and accommodations. Here’s the link to their website (https://ada.osu.edu/).