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The purpose of self awareness in the counselling profession
Cultural diversity in family therapy
Cultural diversity in family therapy
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As a clinician I feel that self-awareness is crucial in a therapeutic session. Hence, I try to be attuned to my client. As an ethnic minority therapist, I believe in being respectful of other’s culture and values. Understanding the client’s view point through their cultural lens is needed in therapy. At times, therapists from cultures different from the client’s may interpret the latter’s viewpoints based on their own cultural background. In such a situation, a therapist should let the client know what his or her interpretation is and ask the client to reflect on the counselor’s interpretation. The art of therapy lies in integrating the belief system of the client and the cultural understanding of the counselor and presenting it to the client.
It is pertinent to study the history of racial oppression when preparing to counsel a client from an ethnic minority if the counselor is from the majority culture. The problem is it would be difficult to examine the complete history and would be highly impossible especially in a short time. However, a therapist can gain knowledge of some of the essentials of history such as, religion, family structure, and background information. If the therapist or counselor is uncomfortable counseling these individuals he/or she can refer the client to someone who has more knowledge or has the same cultural background as the client. For instance, a therapist must become aware of the sociopolitical dynamics that form not only their clients’ views, but their own as well. Racial and cultural dynamics may interfere into the helping process and cause misdiagnosis, confusion, pain and reinforcement of biases and prejudices towards their client.
It was an effective film to show that clarifying goals of therapy are another way to provide effective counseling rather than giving advice and solving the clients’ problems. Specially working with a minority group client, I always try to be prepared, learn about my client culture, background, values, beliefs, create a plan, make sure my client doesn’t not feel overwhelmed or discouraged by any of my statements, frame the issue in a personal context, and allow a moment of silence for the emotions to come out. In general, the counseling profession must develop multicultural competencies in order to successfully work with clients from diverse
Counselors today face the task of how to appropriately counsel multicultural clients. Being sensitive to cultural variables can be conceptualized as holding a cultural lens to human behavior and making allowances for the possibility of cultural influence. However, to avoid stereotyping, it is important that the clinician recognize the existence of within-group differences as well as the influence of the client’s own personal culture and values (Furman, Negi, Iwamoto, Shukraft, & Gragg, 2009). One’s background is not always black or white and a counselor needs to be able to discern and adjust one’s treatment plan according to their client.
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).
It is important for a counselor to be culturally competent. This is not always an easy task because there are a lot of different cultures with different values. The Racial/ Cultural Identity Development Model was created to help counselors understand their culturally diverse clients more. This model has five levels: conformity, dissonance, resistance and immersion, introspection, and integrative awareness. In this essay I am going to describe these levels and how it can impact the counseling process.
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
Patterson clearly displays a level of awareness with in the therapeutic environment consistent with the aims of Multicultural Counseling. As Hays (2008) notes, that Multicultural Counseling is unlike the major counseling theories in that instead of describing how therapy is done, it stems from the question “With whom is it done?” (p. 177). Focusing on the person is a practice that encourages respect and rapport vital for maintaining a healthy counselor-client relationship.
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
In addition, some clients may want to explore their multiple identities and how they position themselves in a world that is highly influenced by culture. Nonetheless, as I read this question, I realized that there is no right or wrong answer. Similarly, there is no right or wrong reason to come to therapy. Therapy is for the individuals who want help regardless of a reason or problem. It is possible that some clients may not have a problem but that is not for the therapist to judge. Instead, the therapist must remain curious and explore the client’s perception of the problem or problems in order to identify unique outcomes and help build preferred
With the population of individuals, and families from diverse backgrounds, challenges counselors’ ability to meet the needs of a growing and diverse society. In 1994, Sue Arrendondo and McDavis published what become known as the multicultural counseling competencies framework. These competencies provide a foundation for all counselors to focus on both the culture make-up of the counselor and how culture impacts daily living in a growing diverse society.
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.
Being able to identify with a certain group has been an issue that individuals hesitate with daily. Am I Black, are you a girl, what religion do you practice? These are all common questions that society has forced individuals to concentrate on. Should an individual have to pick a side or is it relevant to the human race to identify with any group? One may believe not, but for others having and knowing one’s own identity is important, because it is something that they have been developing their entire life. Along with how their identity influenced their life chances and their self-esteem. This can also affect how society interact with whatever identity an individual chooses to live. Which is why it was important to recognize how identifying
When counsellors engage with clients from different culture backgrounds, there can often be misunderstandings that occur through misinterpreting a certain cultural norm that is prevalent in one’s culture but is not in the others. In doing so, this could lead to a breakdown in communication between the client and the counsellor and ultimately affect the outcome of the healing process. So it will be extremely important for the counsellor to be aware of these differences and to have strategies for dealing with any cross-culture barriers that may arise. If not don’t correctly, then it will be very difficult for the counsellor to build a trusting relationship that is essential for the counselling process to take place. (Geldard and Geldard, Basic Personal Counselling, P355, 2012)
The researchers have conducted a literature review of past and current literature about ethnic minority youth's sexual behavior and contraceptive use and have produced a comprehensive overview of the diversity among ethnic minority youth and their sexual health/wellness. In association with disparities in underserved ethnic populations, cultural beliefs, trauma, power imbalances, community violence and gender socialization are among the risk factors that have been discussed in relation topics such as sexual health, substance use and homelessness (El-Bassel, Witte, Wada, Gilbert, & Wallace, 2001). In understanding that there are multiple intersections of diversity, the researchers will provide recommendations that propose
Cross-cultural counseling has become a major force in the profession significantly impacting theory and practice. As the 21st century continues to progress, it is increasingly evident that counselors must become ever more competent with respect to issues of multiculturalism and diversity. As our society continues to diversify, many client or training counselors seeking to develop a cultural identity based up these multiple dimensions are often faced with difficulties in this process. Innumerable immigrants to the US often confront challenges with the process of adapting to the cultural traits or social patterns of another group. And counselors who claim to be culturally competent must group his or her practice with a solid understanding of the history and social movement which shape it. This