As members of the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) staff, we strive to integrate multiculturalism into the everyday functioning and structure of our agency. We have a great appreciation for the dignity and worth of each person we encounter. In our work, we advocate a philosophy of acceptance, compassion, and support for those we serve and provide an emotionally safe and respectful environment. We support students of all identities including age, culture, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, mental and physical ability, national origin, religion, spirituality, size, socio-economic status, immigration status, political perspective, and worldview. In so doing, we strive to provide services that foster the development of behaviors necessary for success at George Mason University as well as in a complex global environment.
Dedication to Diversity and Multicultural Awareness
CAPS values on-going cultural awareness and acknowledges that continued self-awareness and training are vital to developing our individual and collective cultural awareness. As such, staff are supported in attending on-campus trainings provided by campus partners, in-service professional development trainings, and off-campus conferences that focus on diversity and multiculturalism. These trainings are intended to increase knowledge and awareness of working directly with students representing various intersecting identities. These identities may include race or ethnicity, sexual/gender identities, documentation status, ability status, and other salient identities. For example, staff have attended:
- LGBTQ SafeZone training
- Inclusive Learning Community training
- Working with International Students training
- Mason Dreamers UndocuAlly training
We work closely with other offices on campus to help create an affirming and inclusive campus environment for our students. Some of those offices include:
- Disability Services
- Center for Culture, Equity and Empowerment
- First-Gen+ Center
- International Programs and Services
- INTO Mason
- LGBTQ+ Resource Center
- Women and Gender Studies
Pledge of Support
At Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), we recognize that incidents of racism both within our campus community and outside of it can significantly impact the emotional well-being of our community members, particularly people of color. We acknowledge the significant pain that race-related aggression activates and the reality of racial trauma. We understand the ways in which power, privilege, and oppression can inflict hurt onto members of the Mason community.
At CAPS, we understand that disclosure of an identity, namely being undocumented, is a process of trust-building and is not required to receive services, attend an event, or seek support from us. CAPS will never disclose a student’s legal status without their written permission.Â
It is our mission to support members of the Mason community by creating a safe, affirming and inclusive environment that embraces diversity and honors the intersecting identities of everyone on our campus. CAPS provides a confidential space where students may seek support and process their feelings and reactions.