Doctorate in Counseling Psychology Program Presents its 4th Annual Diversity Conference
RUTHERFORD, NJ – Felician University hosted its 4th Annual Diversity Conference on Friday, April 5 at Ray’s Place in Education Commons on the university’s Rutherford campus. The conference focused on Liberation Psychology: Fostering Social Justice and Empowerment.
Dr. Mildred Mihlon, president of Felician University, provided the opening remarks, which reaffirmed the Counseling Psychology Doctoral program’s commitment to serving marginalized communities and working towards the common goal of equity for all and fighting for social justice. These goals directly correlate to the Franciscan core values.
The conference was organized by Felician University’s Dr. Nouriman Ghahary, Director of Clinical Training. It was moderated by Dr. Daniel Mahoney, Director of Graduate Psychology and Professor, and Dr. Jonathan Sepulveda, Associate Professor of Psychology.
Presenting at the conference were Dr. Carlos Hipolito-Delgado from the University of Colorado (Denver) and Dr. Edil Torres Rivera from Wichita State University. They covered the topics of “Sociopolitical Development for Client Liberation” and “Concepts and Use of Liberation Psychology.” A panel discussion also featured eight doctorate students from Felician University’s counseling psychology doctoral program. Each student concentrated on a distinct area related to the central concept of liberation psychology.
Talin Araian, doctoral student and member of the panel, presented “The Institutional Betrayal of Victims of Spousal Abuse by the Family Court System.” Talin emphasized the necessity for those in positions of authority, like judges, to carefully consider cases of Parental Alienation Syndrome because statistics show that abused children typically end up back in the hands of their abusers.
Felician University’s Doctor of Counseling Psychology (PsyD) prepares graduate students to provide psychological services to diverse communities using the practitioner-scholar model. The doctoral training integrates the University’s commitment to its Franciscan identity, which includes the core values of respect for human dignity, compassion, transformation, solidarity with those in need and justice and peace.
To learn more about the PsyD program at Felician University, visit felician.edu or contact admissions@felician.edu.
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About Felician University
Felician University inspires and engages more than 2,100 undergraduate, graduate, and adult education students through programs in the Schools of Arts & Sciences, Business & Information Sciences, Nursing, and Education. Over the past five years, Felician University has ranked 3rd among private institutions in New Jersey for best value according to payscale.com and #1 Safest College Campus in New Jersey according to niche.com. The Master of Science in Nursing program is ranked one of the best online graduate nursing programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. Felician University was designated as a Military Friendly School (Gold Status) for the thirteenth year recognizing its strong support for Veteran students. The university is proud of its diversity as an HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution) and MSI (Minority Serving Institution), with underrepresented students comprising more than half of the student population. With campuses in Rutherford and Lodi, New Jersey, the Franciscan values of social justice, compassion, and respect for human dignity serve as an inclusive foundation for transforming the lives of tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, please visit https://www.felician.edu.
