Global Advancement of Counseling Excellence Overview

Global Advancement of Counseling Excellence (GACE) is a model initiative launched by Palo Alto University to provide a partnered solution in which students are educated globally online and trained locally on-the-ground to meet the need for highly trained counseling professionals.

Rooted in understanding of the foundations of human behavior, the GACE model provides students with the tools to become counseling professionals serving communities world-wide. It imparts a global perspective while enabling students to work in their immediate community to meet the ever-growing need for mental health support and treatment.

Learn more about the Global Advancement of Counseling Excellence.

Meeting the Need for Mental Health Counselors

• It is projected that by 2030 unipolar depressive disorders will be the leading cause of productive years lost to disability, ahead of heart disease, traffic accidents, and HIV/AIDS
• Mental disorders are among the risk factors for communicable and non-communicable diseases. They can also contribute to unintentional and intentional injury
• Low income countries have .05 psychiatrists and .42 nurses per 100,000 people, while the rate of psychiatrists in high income countries is 170 times greater

Countries such as China and India are in need of standardized professional training for common conditions such as depression and anxiety. Many countries still rely heavily on non-empirical or non-evidence-based treatments that may be counterproductive or even harmful to community members. For example, in rural India a folk practice used when an individual reports hearing voices is to puncture the eardrum.

Local Support, Global Positive Effect

The challenges of global mental health care can be staggering and overwhelming.  

However, GACE is seeking to make small steps in meeting the need for mental health counselors by educating students and equipping them evidence-based methods and resources to understand human behavior and help their communities. 

Photo: Students in Rwanda receiving
training in psychotherapy techniques.

Students in China, South America, Rwanda, and India are seeking to address the challenges of their immediate community by gaining valuable training to increase the overall well-being of their citizenry. 

The Global Advancement of Counseling Excellence is funded by Palo Alto University, yet it would not have been possible without the support of individual and private donors.  

Your individual donation to Global Advancement of Counseling Excellence directly supports student scholarships in earning the M.A. in Counseling degree that combines online learning with on-the-ground training. 

 

Donate Your Time and Talents

PAU is currently seeking distinguished instructors who have obtained an M.S. degree to donate their time and expertise to students around the world. Instructors in the following disciplines are needed:

• Psychology
• Human Behavior
• Multi-cultural Counseling
• Depression Treatment
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Anxiety

This is an opportunity for exceptional instructors to donate their time and expertise at the international level via PAU's sophisticated online learning platform.  The GACE program is conducted online and also on-the-ground to provide culturally relevant training for students in China, South America, India, and Rwanda. Teaching expertise would be primarily conducted online but could also include on-site practicum classroom time. 

To learn more about this opportunity to donate your time and skills to help students studying to become counselors worldwide, please contact Dr. William Froming, wfroming@paloaltou.edu.

How You Can Give to GACE Today

Funding is also needed to ensure the GACE program's success. 

Donate Today

How to donate online:

• Visit the PAU donation website.
• Enter the required information.
• Under purpose of gift select “GACE Program”.
• Enter your gift amount and honoree/memorial information.
• Confirm and submit your donation information.
• Proceed to credit card or e-check information and confirm.

How to donate by mail:

• Mail a check payable to Palo Alto University with a letter indicating that you would like your donation designated to “GACE Program." Donations should be mailed to:
  
  Palo Alto University
  1791 Arastradero Road
  Palo Alto, CA 94034

Or, you may directly contact the PAU Office of Institutional Advancement:

• Elizabeth Shaughnessy
  Director of Advancement
  eshaughnessy@paloaltou.edu
  (650) 433-3806

Please do not include personal billing or tax information in voicemail or email messages.

A Note of Gratitude

Palo Alto University extends its deepest gratitude to future and current supporters of the GACE program.  We thank you for being a part of a global effort that promotes worldwide understanding of human behavior and creates partnerships that address diverse communities' needs for mental health counselors.