FIU To Present Conference on Psychological Issues on Race and Ethnic Diversity

Miami, Fla. (March 14, 2001)--- South Florida is one of the nation's most diverse areas. In order to understand and appreciate how a person's cultural/historical environment contributes to their personality development, Florida International University's Counseling and Psychological Services Center and The Southeast Florida Association for Psychoanalytic Psychology (SEFAPP) are sponsoring the 11th annual conference Psychoanalytic Perspectives on Racial and Ethnic Diversity: Change and Strain on Saturday, March 31.

"We will study the dynamics of the exchange between analyst and patient," said SEFAPP President Emily Krestow. "Experts will tackle taboo subjects such as power differentials and reducing treatment fees, and will discuss bringing cultural and racial lingo issues into the treatment room. Factors including the patient's native language, socioeconomic status and self worth will be addressed as well."

Conference objectives include gaining a better understanding of roles that a person's race, culture and language have in the identity of patients, and how these areas of identity affect the therapeutic couple. The conference will also seek to expand awareness of the effects experienced by the patient who feels that he or she does not belong in this society.

The one-day conference will begin at 8:30 a.m. on March 31, at the Graham Center Ballroom at FIU's University Park Campus, Southwest Eighth Street and 107 Avenue.

Admission fees for the conference are: SEFAPP Members & FIU Counseling Faculty: $90, Non-Members: $145, Student Members of SEFAPP & FIU Students: $40, Student Non-Members: $55.

Admission fees for the conference are: SEFAPP Members & FIU Counseling Faculty: $90, Non-Members: $145, Student Members of SEFAPP & FIU Students: $40, Student Non-Members: $55.

For more information call FIU's Counseling and Psychological Services Center at 305-348-2434 or visit the website at http://www.fiu.edu/~psychser/psyanalysis.

Media contacts: Todd Martinez-Padilla Simmons (305) 348-2716 or 2232 David Umansky (202) 357-2627, ext. 106.