MFT DEI Statement
The Marriage and Family Therapy Specialization Program uses Colorado State University’s definition of diversity: “Colorado State University is committed to embracing diversity through the inclusion of individuals reflective of characteristics such as: age, culture, different ideas and perspectives, disability, ethnicity, first generation status, familial status, gender identity and expression, geographic background, marital status, national origin, race, religious and spiritual beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, physical appearance, medical diagnosis, documentation status, and veteran status with special attention given to populations historically underrepresented or excluded from participation in higher education. The University’s commitment to diversity is a longstanding one that reflects our role and mission as a land-grant institute\on.”
Students in the MFT program come from a variety of backgrounds and subscribe to a wide range of values and beliefs in their personal lives. They work as therapists in the CFCT and other settings where they see a variety of clients from diverse backgrounds who may have different values and beliefs from their therapists. MFT students are expected to show a willingness and ability to develop the skills to work with any type of client(s). While student therapists and their clients may not hold the same value systems, it is required that the clinical practice of our students is respectful of differing viewpoints and ensures best clinical practices in the field of MFT.
Our program is built on the Professional Marriage and Family Therapy Principles. All of these require that therapists work with a variety of clients in a way that is nondiscriminatory and multiculturally informed. This requires that student therapists differentiate their own personal values and beliefs from the therapeutic work they do with their clients. Faculty and clinical supervisors work with all student therapists to help them examine their own values and belief systems in ways that ensure they do not interfere with clients’ clinical progress.
We encourage students to find community and resources. Follow the links below to get more information about on-campus diversity resources. Diversity Offices/Cultural Centers
Office of International Programs
Office of Inclusive Excellence
Pride Resource Center
Women and Gender Advocacy Center
Asian/Pacific American Cultural Center
Black/African American Cultural Center
Native American Cultural Center
Fort Collins Community Resources
- Fort Collins Area Community Resources – Gay Colorado: http://gaycolorado.com/fort-collins/resources/
- Fort Collins Community Action Network: http://www.fccan.org/
- Fort Collins Human Relations Commission: https://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/human-relations
- Fort Collins International Center: http://fortcollinsinternationalcenter.org/
- Fort Collins LGBTQ+ Task Force: https://www.fcgov.com/socialsustainability/lgbtq
- Islamic Center of Fort Collins: http://www.icfc.org/
- Northern Colorado Intertribal Powwow Association, Inc.: http://ncipa.weebly.com/
Principles of Community
The Marriage and Family Therapy Program abides by the principles of community set out by the Colorado State University’s Office of Inclusive Excellence. The Principles of Community guide how members of the Marriage and Family Therapy Program interact engage with one and other as well as clients and community members they interact with as members of the program. The Principles of Community are as follows:
INCLUSION: We create and nurture inclusive environments and welcome, value and affirm all members of our community, including their various identities, skills, ideas, talents, and contributions.
INTEGRITY: We are accountable for our actions and will act ethically and honestly in all our interactions.
RESPECT: We honor the inherent dignity of all people within an environment where we are committed to freedom of expression, critical discourse, and the advancement of knowledge.
SERVICE: We are responsible, individually, and collectively, to give of our time, talents, and resources to promote the well-being of each other and the development of our local, regional, and global communities.
SOCIAL JUSTICE: We have the right to be treated and the responsibility to treat others with fairness and equity, the duty to challenge prejudice, and to uphold the laws, policies and procedures that promote justice in all respects.
