Welcoming Culture

Our Commitment to Fostering a Welcoming Culture

We are committed to fostering a culture where everyone feels welcomed and valued and can thrive and contribute their own unique talents and perspectives. We value the richness of a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences, and our program is dedicated to promoting mutual respect, understanding and collaboration. This commitment is guided by Psychology's professional standards and ethics and informed by evolving personal and professional awareness and actions. We endeavor to understand how identities and lived experiences may impact experiences in healthcare and the larger societal context. Faculty and trainees are committed to developing and maintaining awareness of their cultural lenses and understanding the perceptions and perspectives of colleagues, trainees and patients and their families. This commitment is guided by Psychology's professional standards and ethics and informed by evolving personal and professional awareness and actions. 

Our Training program is committed to providing quality care to underserved populations. Trainees have the opportunity to work with adults, children and families from a range of backgrounds through a variety of clinical rotations. In addition, seminars support and extend trainee cultural competence including: Multicultural Experiential Learning Seminar, Professional Development Seminar sessions where community groups and patients discuss their experiences with mental health, our Welcome to Rochester and "Amplification and Allyship" meetings and the University's annual Boundless Together Conference. We are grateful for the Department's Advisory Council of Consumers (DPACC) who ensure that the "voice" of patients and families are part of efforts to improve our patients' experience and care. Faculty, staff and trainees are expected to develop and demonstrate cultural sensitivity and humility in interactions with patients, colleagues and peers. Trainees have numerous opportunities to integrate knowledge with practice through cases, seminars, grand rounds, peer discussion, team meetings and clinical supervision. 

The Psychology Training Program has a workgroup focused on fostering a culture of belonging. This Workgroup meets quarterly with trainee representation. The Department also has a highly valued and active Office of Consumers, Communications, and Community Affairs (CCCA), which informs our training program as well as our other missions. In addition, several efforts reflect the enterprise's commitment to fostering an environment where every employee, student and patient feel valued and respected. For example, the University of Rochester has and Office of University Engagement and Enrichment which focuses on “creating an environment that embraces a wide range of perspectives and ideas, that enhance learning, encourage critical thinking, and invite and deepen civil discourse to drive innovation, curiosity, and excellence. “