In recognition of Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, the Washington Family Counselling Centre, led by Director Joy Park, is offering a special webinar series throughout May titled “Mental Health Webinars: What is Counselling?” The initiative aims to improve mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and help participants better understand the role of counselling in personal and relational well-being.
The free and low-cost seminars will take place every Tuesday in May (the 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th) from 7:00 to 8:00 PM via online platforms. Each session will address different aspects of counselling, with a special focus on cultural sensitivity and accessibility for the Asian Pacific Islander community.
The schedule is as follows:
May 6: “A Journey into the World of Eastern and Western Counselling” – explores the integration and differences between cultural approaches to mental health.
May 13: “Getting Familiar with Counselling” – an introductory session explaining what counselling is and what to expect from it.
May 20: “Our Couple’s Health Checkup” – a special session limited to five couples, using the Prepare/Enrich assessment tool.
May 27: “Catching Up on Our Couple’s Health Checkup” – a follow-up session continuing the relationship-focused assessment and discussion.
The webinars will be led by Dr. Cheon Shin Taylor, director of the counselling centre and a professor of counselling at Liberty University, along with Catherine Eaton, executive director of the Maryland Counselling Association. Dr. Taylor also serves on the advisory board of the American Counsellor Association and previously sat on the Maryland Counselling Bureau Committee during Governor Hogan’s administration.
Dr. Taylor emphasized the need for outreach, particularly in communities where stigma and language barriers persist: “Many people ask, ‘What is counselling?’ Although awareness of counselling is increasing, the wall of counselling is still high. The long-standing negative perception of mental illness, along with language and cultural barriers, continues to hinder access to proper treatment.” She expressed hope that the webinar series would foster better understanding and reduce prejudice.
The first two sessions are free to attend, while the couple-focused classes on May 20 and 27 require a $35 fee per couple, which covers the Prepare/Enrich relationship assessment tool. Developed in 1977, the Prepare/Enrich scale is widely used globally, including in Korea and the United States.