Title: Vulnerable Populations: Cultural Responsive Interventions

Presenters: Danielle Irving-Johnson, EdS; Jessica Fripp, PhD; Patricia Joyce, PhD; and Dee Ray, PhD

Description: The Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development (JMCD), Journal of Counseling and Development (JCD), and Counseling and Psychotherapy Research (CPR) came together to create a joint virtual issue on the topic of Counseling in Challenging Times and Sociocultural Contexts. This Professional Development opportunity zeroes in on three articles from each of those journals with a focus on culturally responsive interventions for vulnerable populations.

Title: When Being “Essential” Illuminates Disparities: Counseling Clients Affected by COVID-19

Authors: Stacey Diane Aranez Litam, PhD and Carlos P. Hipolito-Delgado, PhD

Description: The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has highlighted social disparities in the United States. This continuing education article examines how preexisting racial and ethnic disparities, exacerbated by COVID-19, have negatively affected communities of color, who tend to be overrepresented in lower socioeconomic groups, have limited access to health care and education, be undocumented, and work in jobs considered “essential.” Counselors must be prepared to support communities of color, as well as other marginalized clients with intersecting identities and multiple concerns who may be exacerbated by COVID-19-related stress.