About Counseling

Mission

The mission of the Department of Counseling at San Francisco State University is to train the next generation of counselor leaders who recognize that the liberation of all communities is only possible when an intersectional, participatory, community-driven approach to counseling is practiced.

Our training program is grounded in the belief that counseling, as a field of practice, affords professionals the knowledge and skills needed to carry out social justice work via strengths-based healing and wellness, advocacy, critical consciousness development and action-oriented scholarship and research.

Culturally competent, psychologically-minded and emotionally grounded Licensed (Marriage & Family Therapists), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors, Credentialed School Counselors, Certified Rehabilitation Counselors, Career Counselors, College Counselors are needed in the field of human services. The department’s six graduate programs, its undergraduate minor in counseling, and our partnerships with community agencies collaboratively prepare students who are well-grounded to help meet the growing demands in the field. Our department’s faculty and the curriculum we have designed aspire to achieve excellence in three core areas: Multicultural Competence, Community Partnerships, and Action Research.

Our faculty are locally, nationally and internationally recognized in their scholarly contributions to multicultural competence in counseling, social justice, and health equity. Our faculty work to provide a solid learning environment for students with disabilities, students from diverse ethnic and sexual orientations, as well as students from a range of socioeconomic groups.

By the end of graduate studies, our more than 150 students should embody multicultural competence, have grown deep connections to the local community, and embrace best practices in counseling. Combined, our students provide thousands of hours per year of counseling services to San Francisco Bay Area communities.