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Conclusion On Critique Of Multicultural Counseling Theory
Critique of multicultural counseling and therapy
Critique of multicultural counseling and therapy
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A counselor who treats clients with an addiction problem can face many challenges. When a client is multicultural, the counselor has to find different methods of treatment. These treatment methods have to be specific to their culture and ethnic backgrounds as well as their addiction itself. Incorporating different methods can and will ensure that the client is receiving the best treatment possible. Addiction and Multicultural Clients
There are many forms of addiction. Substance abuse, which is also known as drug abuse, is the continuous use of a drug in which the user consumes in amounts or in different ways that are harmful to themselves or others (Wilson & Johnson, 2013, p. 16). In some cases, criminal behaviors occur when the person
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The ASI assesses the person’s level of functioning in seven different lifestyle areas: medical condition, employment, legal and criminal problems, drug and alcohol use, their family history and social relationships, and psychiatric status. This assessment gives information on the client’s age, gender, race/ethnicity, religion, and income. This is the most culturally aware assessment that can be given and it gives the counselor a look into the client’s diverse background.
Assessment for Cultural Sensitivity Since 1993, the American Psychological Association has required counselors to practice multicultural competencies to ensure all clients are treated with dignity and respect (Kim, 2011, p. 272). Culturally skilled counselors have become more aware and sensitive to their own cultural issues. Counselors are aware of their own values and biases and how the effect minority clients. Counselors also have a good understanding of the ever changing political and social system and how the United States treats minorities (Kim, 2011, p. 273). Cultural sensitivity is a very important part of multicultural counseling.
Multicultural Approaches to Addiction
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Some clients who have an addiction problem can also have a co-morbid diagnosis of a mental health issue (Banks & Gibbons, 2015, p. 51). Many times clients “self-medicate” to help relieve some of the mental health issues. DBT is a form of cognitive behavior therapy that was first used to treat chronic suicide. Using DBT in therapy allows the counselor to tell the client that they are doing their best in the moment, and that the client can always do better. Abstaining from substances for that moment is good but making that time last longer and longer will allow the client to focus on their recovery moment by moment and then day by day (Banks & Gibbons, 2015, p. 52). Using DBT in this way can set long and short term goals for the client. Short term goals for a client to focus on are very important. Clients who are in the early stages of their recovery need something solid to focus on instead of their cravings, withdraw symptoms, and thoughts of using. Once the client has been sober for a while, they should start setting long term goals (Banks & Gibbons, 2015, p. 58). These goals, both long and short term, should be obtainable by the client and not out of reach. If the client is trying to set goals that are not obtainable, the counselor should suggest an easier one for
Culture is “the total lifeways of a human group. It consists of learned patterns of values, beliefs, customs, and behaviors that are shared by a group of interacting individuals” (Stumbo & Peterson, 2009, p. 257). In order for a person to be culturally competence, he or she must be able to overlook stereotypes of different cultures and be able to appreciate the cultural differences. Dana suggested some culturally competent assessment, which must be considered when serving multicultural clients: cultural orientation, styles of service delivery, assessment methodology, assessment measures, and feedback of assessment findings (Stumbo & Peterson, 2009, p.
DBT is effective when working with clients experiencing anxiety disorder and depression. Individuals in DBT therapy are taught to notice, rather than react to thoughts and behaviors. DBT teaches clients to accept their emotional reactions and learn to tolerate distress while being mindful of their present experiences. DBT has four stages for therapy. In stage one the pre-commitment stage is where the therapist explains what types of treatment the client will receive. In this stage the client must agree to stop all self harm behavior and work toward developing other coping skills. In stage two the goal is to assist the client into controlling her emotions. Stage three and four involve assisting the client to gain the ability to develop self respect (Waltz, 2003).
Richard Stuart (2012) discusses multicultural competence in regards to clinical psychology in his article “Twelve Practical Suggestions for Achieving Multicultural Competence.” The author defines the meaning of multicultural competence as “the ability of to understand and constructively relate to the uniqueness of each client in light of the diverse cultures that influence each person’s perspective” (Stuart, 2012, p. 193). In addition to defining the issue, the article highlights past mistakes in trying to achieve multicultural competence in clinical psychology and presents 12 suggestions for future success in this regard.
Culture can be defined as behaviors exhibited by certain racial, religious, social or ethnic groups. Some factors in which culture may vary include: family structure, education, and socioeconomic status (Kodjo, 2009). Some may think cultural competence is something that has an end point, however, when the big picture is seen, it is a learning process and journey. From the writer’s perspective, the client-therapist relationship can be challenging. Culturally competent therapists must realize that behaviors are shaped by an individual’s culture. Many changes are taking place within the United States cultural makeup. Therapists and healthcare professionals are being challenged to provide effective and sensitive care for patients and their families. This type of culturally sensitive care requires the professional to be open and seek understanding in the patients diverse belief systems (Kodjo, 2009).
Some research states that because CBT doesn’t address the possible underlying causes of mental health conditions and only addresses current issues, the patient may not be getting the right treatment. In some cases individuals may have underlying issues such as an unhappy childhood which could be part of the reason they are feeling low or depressed. Also every patient and individual acts differently to the same events- we need to understand what a patient brings to and takes from a negative activating
Therefore, when I work with substance abusers I will show empathy, encourage and validate their successes and their feelings about any failures. In addiction, I will help the person learn from their failures and normalize the situation. Furthermore, I would attempt to ensure that the person had several coping strategies in place, to help when he or she finds themselves in a difficult situation. Moreover, I intend to ensure the client has all the tools he or she needs to succeed while getting to the root of their problem through counseling.
The first therapy to discuss is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, otherwise know as CBT. The main focus of CBT therapy is a “functional analysis of the thinking and behavioral process” (Content Guide 4, n.d.). This being said, CBT has been effective in the treatment of those struggling with substance
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a comprehensive cognitive-behavioral treatment developed by Marsha M. Linehan for the treatment of complex, difficult-to-treat mental disorders. Originally, DBT was developed to treat individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD; Carson-Wong, Rizvi, & Steffel, 2013; Scheel, 2000). However, DBT has evolved into a treatment for multi-disordered individuals with BPD. In addition, DBT has been adapted for the treatment of other behavioral disorders involving emotional dysregulation, for example, substance abuse, binge eating, and for settings, such as inpatient and partial hospitalization. Dimeff and Linehan (2001) described five functions involved in comprehensive DBT treatment. The first function DBT serves is enhancing behavioral capabilities. Secondly, it improves motivation to change by modifying inhibitions and reinforcement. Third, it assures that new capabilities can be generalize to the natural environment. Fourth, DBT structures the treatment environment in the ways essential to support client and therapist capabilities. Finally, DBT enhances therapist capabilities and motivation to treat clients effectively. In standard DBT, these functions are divided into modes for treatment (Dimeff & Linehan, Dialectical behavior therapy in a nutshell, 2001).
Addiction is a dependence on a substance where the individual who is affected feels defenseless and unable to stop the obsession to use a substance or prevent a particular behavior. Millions of Americans have addictions to drugs, alcohol, nicotine, and even to behaviors such as obsessive gambling. Pharmacotherapy is a treatment process in which a counselor can use a particular drug to counter act an addictive drug or behavior. Not all counselors agree with this type of treatment. However in order to provide a client with an ethical treatment and unbiased opinions they should be made aware of all scientific evidence of different treatment options. “Thus, attention to addiction pharmacotherapy is an ethical mandate no matter what prejudices a counselor may have” (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2008, p. 196). Some particular pharmacotherapy’s a counselor may use for the treatment of addiction are Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban), Disulfiram (Antabuse), Naltrexone (ReVia, Depade), Methadone (Dolophine), and Buprenorphine (Temgesic, Suboxone).
This therapy assists the individual and finding what the needs are of the person. This makes the therapy unique by finding what is occurring with the person and what they can do to help regulate positive thoughts and emotions. As shown in the article, it mentioned how “some primary skills taught may include mood monitoring, behavioral activation, cognitive restructuring, and the development of problem-solving and social skills” (Mahoney, Kennard, & Mayes, 2011). The purpose of this therapy is to assist the client to create appropriate goals and work towards improving their symptoms. At first, this can be done by having the client monitor their mood and plan in activities they can become engaged in (Mahoney, Kennard, & Mayes, 2011). Therefore, this can play a significant role with my client due to finding what interests she has and if this can help her while handling her depression. The best way to monitor my client’s results would be working with my client and using CBT each time we meet. That way my client has spent enough time understanding her thoughts or emotions and how they have been impacting her
After reading the many articles on the notion of diagnosis and counseling with multicultural/ethnic patients, it has come to my attention that this focus is solely based on stereotypical attitudes. Sure, it can be said that it is important for a therapist to have a background of the patient’s heritage and culture, but doesn’t this necessarily mean that the outlook of the therapist will be put in a box by doing so? I think multicultural competency is a ridiculous way to improve patient-therapist relationships because of several reasons. First off, generalities and race-centralisms only hinder, not improve, the inner workings of a therapy session. Second, there is no real way to test for competency of multicultural issues. So the question of competency cannot be tested and thus should be removed from the criteria of abilities of a therapist. Third, these types of attachments in the learning of diagnosis and therapy only add to stereotypical and racist behavior.
Sue, D.W., & Sue, D (2003). Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and practice, 4th Ed.
Cognitive behavior therapy helps to change the way that people think or behave. This paper will discuss this approach applied through multicultural lenses. It will discuss a therapy session and how the therapist applied this approach and how effective it was. It will then explain how the therapist applied the AMCD multicultural counseling competencies.
To begin with, in order for a facility to be successful in treating people with addictions whether it be alcohol, or drugs the facility must have a treatment plan to use and guide both counselors and the client alike to be successful in the program.
The assertion has appeared repeatedly in the literature that it is unethical for counselors to provide clinical services to clients who are culturally different from themselves if the counselors are not competent to work effectively with these clients (e.g., Corey, Corey, & Callanan, 2003; Herlihy & Watson, 2003; Lee, 2002; Pedersen, Draguns, Lonner, & Trimble, 2002; Remley & Herlihy, 2005; Vontress, 2002). Historically, however, counselors have been slow to recognize a connection between multicultural competence and ethical behavior. Multiculturalism and ethical standards both emerged during the 1960s as separate strands of development within the counseling profession. Multicultural counseling evolved from a growing awareness that discrepancies between counselor and client were resulting in ineffective service delivery and early termination of treatment for ethnic minority clients (Atkinson, Morton, & Sue, 1998” (p.99). Prior to this form of counseling, counseling was most effective for Caucasians. However, as time pasted and theories for minorities improved the code of ethics began to improve as