Speaker
Pa Her
Clinical Assistant Professor/Co-Director of the Counseling Psychology Training Clinic, UW–Madison Counseling Psychology Department
Pa Her, PhD (she/her/hers), is a clinical assistant professor and Co-Director of the Counseling Psychology Training Clinic at UW–Madison. She earned her PhD in counseling psychology at UW–Madison and completed her clinical internship at the University of Minnesota. For the past four years, she has supervised and supported graduate students in the DDEEA Community Support Specialist role. Prior to beginning her PhD program, she worked as an academic advisor and peer mentor coordinator for the Center for Academic Excellence on campus, supporting underrepresented college students. Dr. Her’s research interests revolve around underrepresented college students, specifically those from low-income backgrounds, as well as first-generation college students, Southeast Asian American students, and students of color. Her clinical interests are centered on trauma informed care for historically underrepresented students in higher education, particularly at Predominantly White Institutions (PWI). Dr. Her finds joy in connecting with family and friends outside of work.
Speaking in
Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Underrepresented Collegiate Students Through the Community Support Specialist Role at UW–Madison
On college campuses, BIPOC, first-generation and low-income students are disproportionately underrepresented in seeking mental health services, highlighting systemic disparities in access to support. In this session, the panelists plan to discuss the role of the Community Support Specialists (CSS), who work exclusively with DDEEA students. This position was created by the Counseling Psychology Training Clinic (CPTC) in partnership with UW-Madison’s Mental Health Services (MHS) to increase counseling access among underrepresented students at UW-Madison using a social justice framework. The speakers will present an overview of the program’s history, including data and testimonials from past DDEEA students. During the session, panelists will share their experiences in the CSS roles, including their positionalities as BIPOC graduate students responsible for supporting the mental health needs of other underrepresented students. They will address questions about various interventions for supporting students, such as individual therapy, the role of outreach, and creative methods for disseminating interventions.
Session Objectives
- An increased understanding of the rewards and obstacles faced by BIPOC mental health professionals while providing services to underrepresented students at a predominantly white college campus
- An awareness of the mental health resources on campus and the role of the Community Support Specialist
- Insight into the collaborations between CPTC and MHS in addressing systemic disparities faced by underrepresented students seeking mental health services
- Awareness of resources for supporting BIPOC students’ mental health needs