Preparing Counselors for Practice with Immigrant Clients in Court Proceedings: Framing Required Knowledge, Attitudes, and Skills within the MSJCC

Authors

Kalina M. Brabeck, Rhode Island CollegeFollow
Prachi Kene, Rhode Island CollegeFollow
James Geckler, Rhode Island CollegeFollow
Deborah S. Gonzalez Esq., Roger Williams University School of LawFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

0000-0002-9755-2885

Author Biography

Kalina M. Brabeck is a Professor in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Rhode Island College.

Prachi Kene is a Professor in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Rhode Island College.

James Geckler is an Associate Professor in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Rhode Island College.

Deborah Gonzalez is an immigration attorney and a Clinical Law Professor who directs the Immigration Law Clinic at Roger Williams University.

Document Type

Article

Keywords

immigrants, immigration court, mental health evaluations, MSJCC

Subject Area

Counseling, Mental Health Counseling

Abstract

The Multicultural Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC; Ratts et al., 2016) provide a framework for defining the attitudes and beliefs, knowledge, skills, and action that counselors must develop to effectively work with clients across identities and social and cultural contexts. In this paper, we apply the MSJCC to counselors’ practice with immigrant clients within a specific context: immigration court proceedings. Evidence suggests that counselors may be hesitant to practice within forensic settings in general, and that training and education enhances their self-efficacy, effectiveness, and willingness to practice within these settings. Drawing on the MSJCC, we contribute to counselors’ knowledge end education regarding the necessary awareness and beliefs, knowledge, and skills and actions required for effective practice with immigrant clients in immigration court proceedings. Specifically, we summarize required attitudes of reflexivity, cultural humility, and trauma-informed care; knowledge of immigration status and avenues to regularize status, as well as the intersections of trauma, culture, and memory; and skills to conduct an evaluation and provide expert testimony while exercising objectivity, ethical practice, and cultural humility.

Public Significance Statement

This article contributes to education for counselors to effectively practice within the context of immigration court proceedings. It also contributes to culturally responsive practice.

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.70013/zhuxpjbd

Recommended Citation

Brabeck, K. M., Kene, P., Geckler, J., & Gonzalez, D. S. (2025). Preparing Counselors for Practice with Immigrant Clients in Court Proceedings: Framing Required Knowledge, Attitudes, and Skills within the MSJCC. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 19(2). http://dx.doi.org/10.70013/zhuxpjbd