Counseling & Psychological Services

Social Justice

Commitment to Social Justice

The faculty and staff of West Chester University’s Counseling Center are fully committed to social justice. We define this as working toward a community that is empowering to all people, that supports equitable treatment across diverse identities, that allows fair access to resources, and that provides opportunities for all people to reach their full potential. The staff believe that no one should be discriminated against based on gender, sexuality, race, religion, age, ability, size, politics, class, socioeconomic status, or any other group membership; we believe that everyone should be treated with compassion, respect, and empathy. We recognize that experiences with marginalization can negatively impact emotional and psychological well-being and contribute to mental health problems. Therefore, we are committed to providing an environment that feels safe for all students. Ways in which we support these values include;

1. Acknowledgement of the impact of discrimination, oppression, and marginalization on individuals and their psychological well-being.
2. Dedication to maintaining and improving accessibility to our services through outreach, identifying and removing barriers to access, and building a strong multidisciplinary referral network across campus.
3. Support of diverse student groups across campus by maintaining working relationships, responding to individual and group needs, attending events, providing presentations, and fostering interdepartmental ties.
4. Development of multi-cultural counseling and supervision skills through increased awareness of the faculty and staff.
5. Accountability to growing individually and as an organization by increasing our awareness of our biases, improving our understanding of the dynamics of power and privilege, and engaging in open dialogues regarding treatment and diversity.
6. Attendance at events and trainings that promote ongoing learning regarding social justice.
7. Investigating best practices for serving students of underrepresented populations.

Resources and Support

On Campus

Off Campus

• Find ways to stay connected. Reach out to friends, family, mentors, and student groups. Contact the offices listed above to find a safe space to talk or just be around others. You can also call the Chester Co. Warm-line if you need to talk: 866-846-2722
• Working toward advocacy and change can be exhausting and overwhelming. Make sure to tend to your self-care so you can be your most effective self.
• There are times when you may experience compassion fatigue, finding it difficult to offer compassion to yourself and others. You can try some self-compassion exercises.
• Social justice is built around community. You can read books, articles, and blogs to learn more, connect with like-minded individuals, and to share with others. Many resources are included here: Activism Toolkit CU Boulder

In Response to Race-Related Violence

The WCU Counseling Center condemns historical and continued acts of violence against BIPOC, immigrants, and other marginalized communities. We grieve the violent deaths of Sonya Massey, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and George Floyd, who represent the many who have lost their lives in a relentless series of violence toward Black individuals and communities. We condemn the systemic intolerance and injustice experienced by individuals such as Christian Cooper, who suffered from harmful stereotyping and discrimination. We additionally condemn the ongoing harassment and violence aimed at Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders, including the deaths in Atlanta of Soon Chung Park, Hyun Jung Grant, Suncha Kim, Yong Ae Yue, Delaina Ashley Yaun, Paul Andre Michels, Xiaojie Tan, and Daoyou Feng. We strongly oppose discrimination, hate, and intolerance, and stand in solidarity with our Black, AAPI, and BIPOC students, faculty, and staff.

We recognize the relentless impact that prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination have on mental health and well-being, and we are here if you need to talk. Our department feels and understands the many reactions that can ensue from these events, such as fear, anger, and grief. We can join you in processing how systems of oppression and traumatic events impact your feelings, beliefs, and identities, and we can also help you connect to resources that feel safe and that resonate with you.

Though supporting our students who feel directly impacted by racism is paramount, we also strongly advocate for the antiracist education and allyship of all students, faculty, and staff. We hope that the resources on our Resources page resonate with the WCU community as ways in which we can both support those who are hurting and join together to facilitate a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.

Land Acknowledgement

A land acknowledgment is a "formal statement that recognizes the unique and enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories" (http://www.lspirg.org/knowtheland/). As such, it is the first step to a reflection process that will help us be more intentional as we move through spaces. We can continue to learn about and build relationships with the communities and the land we are occupying in an effort to continually support and work with those communities.

West Chester University is located on the traditional homelands of the Lenape (leh-NAH-pay) Indians (also referred to as the Delaware Indians). Here’s a good piece from NPR that offers a short history of the tribe as well as information about a current member of the Lenape tribe, who has spent the past thirty-six years studying Lenape history and tradition. Visit the official website of the Delaware tribe of Indians.

If you are not at WCU you may use the website Native Land to identify which traditional homelands you are occupying. As part of the reflection process, please consider doing your own research about local Indigenous communities to understand their perspective and how to correctly pronounce their names.