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Self awareness in a counselling setting
Why is cultural competence important in counseling
Cultural competence in family therapy
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Taking English classes, and becoming a certified elementary teacher encouraged me to become an active member of the community. At that time, I began experiencing intense emotions and feelings as I was in direct contact with several individuals and families who had values and beliefs very diverse to the ones that I personally had. However, I was strongly trying to adapt to the core values of the American society, putting aside what have always been my own personal principle and beliefs. I refused to speak Spanish or Italian once I was able to speak fluent English, and rejected any type of interpersonal relationship with any other cultural group other than Americans. I felt embarrassed of my own family as they only spoke their native language. To one point in life, I saw myself forgetting the importance that maintaining my family together had to me, which caused a great deal of inconformity and dissatisfaction within myself. I became aware of how people from other cultures or countries might have felt as they tried to adapt to the American culture, putting aside their own beliefs and values.
It took me
However, understanding our own feelings and reactions to this cultural diversity is likewise important to our development as counselors. As stated by Sue & Sue (2012), the way we react to our own feelings, and possible biases, can either enhance or negate a deeper understanding of ourselves as racial/cultural beings within this multicultural society (p.46). As a counselor, the importance of recognizing our clients’ values and cultural background, as well as being aware of our own worldview, will allow me to develop stronger therapeutic relationships and culturally appropriate
With the potential language barrier, a counselor could also ask an interpreter to mediate with the client during sessions to make sure there is an understanding between the client and the counselor. Multicultural knowledge includes counselors’ understanding of their own worldview, knowledge of cultural groups with whom the counselor works, and recognition of sociopolitical factors that impact diverse clients’ lives. Beliefs and attitudes encompass counselors’ values associated with different cultural groups, their ability to recognize and hold in check stereotypes of different cultural groups, a celebration of diversity, and an awareness of how their biases and negative attitudes can adversely influence counseling relationships (Ivers, 2012). One of the hardest parts about being a counselor is admitting your own biases and stereotyping before counseling others of different cultural ethnicities. Once a counselor understands their own biases and stereotyping towards others, they are better able to catch themselves from letting their biases affect their counseling.
A therapist will face problems, issues and client troubles everyday. The professional must understand how their client relates to the world around them. These feelings and ideas affect how the client sees the problem and how they respond to their situation. Their actions, in turn, have bearing on individual thoughts, needs, and emotions. The therapist must be aware of the client's history, values, and culture in order to provide effective therapy. This paper will outline and provide information as to the importance of cultural competence and diversity in family therapy.
“You are in America, speak English.” As a young child hearing these words, it did not only confuse me but it also made me question my belonging in a foreign country. As a child I struggled with my self-image; Not being Hispanic enough because of my physical appearance and not being welcomed enough in the community I have tried so hard to integrate myself with. Being an immigrant with immigrant parents forces you to view life differently. It drives you to work harder or to change the status quo for the preconceived notion someone else created on a mass of people. Coming to America filled me with anxiety, excitement, and even an unexpected wave of fear.
Remember, self-reflection is vital to becoming a culturally-competent counselor. The counselor should consistently re-examine their worldview and personal beliefs about diverse individuals and other cultures. The idea is for the counselor to explore their own prejudices, emotions, and preconceived notions of those that differ from themselves. Remaining curious and willing to learn about culturally distinct groups is a practical way of working effectively with varied clients in counseling and understanding what barriers and prejudices are typical in their
My parents did everything they knew to help my sister and I learn and respect our Mexican culture. Born into American culture but raised by Hispanic parents, often was difficult for me. Since I was little I had to manage and balance two very different cultures at the same time. There were many times while growing up that I encountered complex situations in regards to language, whether to speak Spanish or English and when it was appropriate. I felt a lot of pressure having to act as an interpreter for my parents when we were out in public. At home I was told to speak Spanish so I would not forget, but at school I was taught to only speak English with my teachers and friends. However, when we would go visit family in Mexico, I was expected to only speak in Spanish, since speaking in English in front of family members who only spoke Spanish was seen as disrespectful. So learning two languages has been very beneficial to my life and for my family. By
“Seek out training in diversity, read literature and self-reflection.” (B. Schauland, personal communication, November 11, 2015) In our course on cultural diversity it has been discussed that individuals from different cultural backgrounds then the counselor may feel that the counselor does not understand their needs, can you reflect on this?
Living in between cultures is something that I have had to struggle with, for much of my life. As a second generation immigrant, I have found myself negotiating between two cultural identities. On one end I identify as an American, and on the other as a Latina who is Nicaraguan and Dominican. Throughout my life my identity has come under attack from both sides. I have been called too American by my immigrant family while also being called too Latina by peers and academia. As a first generation college student and second generation immigrant, I have faced the stressors of living in between cultures. I have received both acceptance and rejection, as well as experienced stress relating to my mother’s status in this country and my responsibility to help her navigate daily activities.
Have you ever wondered how other cultures feel when they come to the United States? Some cultures may feel comfortable with speaking the English language, while others may have a little trouble. In the essays Se Habla Espan᷉ol by Tanya Maria Barrientos and Mother Tongue by Amy Tan, there are two different cultures with similarities as well as differences. If you have ever had any doubt or shame about yourself, then you should take what these ladies say to heart. Just because you are not born in America does not mean you cannot make your life the best it can be; you should not be ashamed of where you came from, just learn new ways to make it better. Although some cultures have similarities and differences,
The diversity among clients and the counselor is an issue that has recently come to the forefront. The counselor must be very cautious and sensitive to the cultural values of their clients, gender and gender preference, age, language preference, ethnicity, and spirituality and religious beliefs.
Ethical Issues in Multicultural Counseling are very prevalent today. Counselors may or may not know how to counsel people of different race, ethnicity, gender, sexual identity socioeconomic status, disability, age or spirituality. Due to their lack of knowledge in that area, ethical issues may arise. In order for a counselor to gain knowledge of Multicultural Counseling, the counselor must begin to gain an understanding of their clients past and culture. It is also important that the counselor does not categorize the client based his/her race, ethnicity, gender, sexual identity socioeconomic status, disability, age and spirituality. The counselor also must consider and respect the client’s culture, when trying to comprise the client’s treatment
Counselors need to be aware that they are able to work with particular issues and certain cultural groups. This is because conscious and unconscious meanings and assumptions, such as strongly held religious or political beliefs, will be communicated to the client. “It is desirable up to a point to know about a particulars clients background and therefore not to ask questions about it” due to the clients may be frustrated and impatient with this use of their time. (Bayne, Jinks, Collard, Horton, 2008). This is where cross-cultural training, supervision and personal development are
I was marginalized by both social groups and this made me feel so inferior and alone. However, there came a moment in my adolescence where I experienced relief, validation, but ultimately a connection. My feelings of being excluded from both groups are perfectly captured, in the film “Selena” where the father describes the struggle of Mexican-Americans and their dual-experiences with language growing up: “we are Mexican American…Anglos jump all over you if you don’t speak English perfectly, Mexicans jump all over you if you don’t speak Spanish perfectly, we gotta be twice as perfect as anybody else...we gotta prove to the Mexicans how Mexican we are and the Americans how American we are, we gotta be more Mexicans than the Mexicans and more American than the Americans, both at the same time. It’s exhausting.” This moment defined how I felt growing up.
Understanding race, ethnicity, and culture is an extremely important aspect of being a counselor. If an individual does not have cultural identity of their own or understand his or herself as a cultural, ethnic, or racial individual, it may be difficult to help your clients. Understanding and being aware of your cultural identity will help the counselor be conscious of their own prejudice. Being aware of your own prejudice towards any culture, race, or ethnic group may help you redirect your negative thinking into a positive active role as a counselor. Having awareness will make an individual an improved counselor able to empathize and understand any individual who seeks therapy.
Firstly, beliefs and attitudes infer the counselor’s ability to move beyond cultural unawareness for safeguarding that their personal biases, values or problems will not affect their ability to work with culturally diverse clients (Corey, 2013). In the same way, culturally skilled counselors are cognizant of the fact that “cultural self-awareness and sensitivity to one’s own cultural heritage” plays an integral role in the helping process (Corey, 2013, p.
I grew up in a predominately Hispanic neighborhood, where I was one of the twelve Asian students in my grade of three hundred and fifty and the only Chinese student in my class. I struggled to understand what my classmates, friends, and teachers talked about because they spoke primarily Spanish outside of the classroom, and I could barely count to ten. Fitting in was hard not only because of the language barrier but also the racial and cultural differences. Making friends with people who have little or nothing in common is difficult, so I attempted to copy whatever my classmates would do. I ate what they ate, watched what they watched, and played whatever sports they played. I took Spanish lessons with the family who lived below me, and in exchange I taught them a bit of Mandarin. By the second grade, I had eased into the community around me despite only having two close friends. They helped me to embrace my Chinese side while being assimilated. I could stop being someone I wasn’t, and I was not scared to be myself with them because they were fascinated by my unique characteristic from having Chinese heritage. I enjoyed living in Corona, since everything I needed was so close, and this i...