CLINICIAN EXPERIENCES WITH FGCS
a published study by Tam Le Rovitto
Do you work
with FGCS?
Are you trained
to work with FGCS?
How do you work with FGCS?
Across mental health disciplines and within counseling centers, clinicians are trained to be experts in specific presenting concerns and student population, however, most are not trained on how to work with first-generation college students (FGCS).
Clinicians' experiences working with FGCS across the United States emphasize the importance of FGCS resilience and the utilization of humility and empowerment to promote FGCS growth (Rovitto, 2021).
Clinicians reported 3 main themes in working with FGCS:
Systemic Obstacles
Subthemes:
-Family of origin
-Lack of preparation
-Lack of social & financial resources
-Mental health stigma
Common Presenting Concerns
Subthemes:
-Academic distress
-Imposter feelings
Building on Resilience
Subthemes:
-FGCS resilience
-Treatment approaches
-Training needs
Additional findings from the research:
-There are no standardized treatment approaches in working with FGCS
-Clinicians lack training on best practices in with working with FGCS
-Common treatment approaches used by clinicians
-
Intersectionality
-
Cultural Humility
-
Cultural Formulation Interview
-
Feminist Theory
-
Strengths-base
Identified needs from clinicians to optimize your work with FGCS:
Training
Training topics:
-clinical approaches
-understanding FGCS
-advocacy
-community outreach
FGCS narratives
FGCS narratives:
-success stories
-challenges
-needs
-strength
Resources
-Local and national resources to support FGCS.
-Clinical resources