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Ethical concerns in multicultural counseling
Critique of multicultural counseling and therapy
Critique of multicultural counseling and therapy
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Diversity has become more prevalent in today’s counseling community. With diversity comes culture and the competency of multiculturalism. Culture can be referred to as having values, beliefs, and behaviors shared by a group of people. It can also be referred to by different variables such as age, gender, socioeconomic status. There are many facets to culture that one may not realize. People’s cultural backgrounds impact how they think, feel, and behave. Understanding these factors can help modify the needs of members in a group setting. As an aspiring counselor, it is important for me to understand how my cultural background not only impacts my ability in working with a diverse range of people, but specific attitudes and beliefs can also enhance or interfere my ability to work within a group dynamic.
Awareness is an essential component of cultural competency because it allows a person to understand a variety of self-relating factors and interactions. By examining your own cultural and personal values, you not only become more aware with yourself, but you find a middle-ground to understand other cultural and personal values other than your own. My identity development as an Asian American female has brought me insightful perspectives
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It is important for counselors to understand the impact of personal cultural background and how attitudes and beliefs can also enhance or interfere ability to work within a group dynamic. Without the cultural awareness of others and self, it would be difficult for group counselors to modify the needs to fit groups members. Members of a group look to the leader as a model. Missing the opportunity to recognize and address cultural differences of assumptions in groups, may the portray the lack of understanding of diverse people. Cultural competency is the first step in leading a successful group of diverse
Acculturation, worldview and perceived discrimination as cultural variables influence career behaviors of racial/ethnic minorities. Multicultural education and diversity appreciation training are thought to decrease counselor prejudice. Theme four looks at multicultural issues that require counselors to incorporate cultural data into their thinking and actions. Multicultural competence incorporates learning how to include cultural data into decision making process of complicated problems and interventions posed by culturally different clients. Theme five posits that people have multiple identities that affect the ways they experience and view the world. Multiple identities are used to refer to variables such as sex, age, socioeconomic status, nationality and ethnicity which impact an individual’s behavior, perception and
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.
I am able to consult a more qualified resource person when working with culturally different clients and represent a non-racist identity as a counselor. I am aware of my cultural beliefs regarding health, causes of diseases and purpose of life. Accordingly, I am aware of how different cultural groups perceive dietary habits, family roles, high-risk behaviors and spiritual beliefs regarding nursing care and thus I am capable of discussing with the client on such beliefs and values before counseling (Andrews & Boyle,
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
“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?
Cultural competence has to do with one’s culture. Culture affects among other factors, how children are raised, how families communicate, what is considered normal or abnormal, ways of coping with issues, the way we dress, when and where we seek medical treatment, and so forth. I should know because I come from a very cultural home where it is considered bad to talk to a male doctor about anything gynecological.
Cultural awareness is an individual’s ability to identify the differences in values, beliefs and norms, that may result from people’s diverse origins and backgrounds (Quappe & Cantatore, 2013). This is important since it allows an individual to build successful workplace and personal relationships with people from varied backgrounds (Quappe & Cantatore, 2013).
Barden, S. M., Sherrell, R. S., & Matthews, J. J. (2017). A National Survey on Multicultural Competence for Professional Counselors: A Replication Study. Journal of Counseling & Development, 95(2), 203-212.
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.
With radical changes in business climate, globalisation and workforce diversity, the world has become more closely inter-weaved to another. At the same time, there is an awareness of the culture to comprehend our own cultural self, which is essential for the development of cultural intelligence. It is then only the beginning of establishing the insight towards to a variety cultures in contemporary society. This essay will examine my own cultural self by presenting the relationship between knowledge, experience and behaviour. To follow, we will define the term cultural self-awareness and cultural intelligence and then we will critically discuss how cultural self-awareness is associated with cultural intelligence and how knowledge, experience
Today’s management in the workforce is composed of all types of people verses thirty years ago when white males held a majority of upper-management positions in companies. These positions are now held by a mixture of ethnic back grounds and women who hold just as many if not more management positions then men. Just by looking at the changes in management demographics shows how important it is for people to understand cultural competency in the workplace. Dr. Roosevelt Thomas Jr. (1999) stated, “Diversity is the collective mixture of whomever we have in our workforce characterized by their differences and similarities” (p.11). Managers and supervisors must understand the characteristics of a diversity mature individual; they also need to be able to articulate the differences between affirmative action, managing diversity, understanding and valuing diversity to build skills that transforms awareness into productive and supportive workplace behaviors.
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.
SUE, D. W., ARREDONDO, P., & McDavis, R. J. (1992). Multicultural Counseling Competencies and Standards: A Call to the Profession. JOURNAL OF COUNSELING & DEVELOPMENT, 70, 477-486.
As each and every day goes by, diversity is becoming widespread throughout the world. As people are presented with culture, races, and different sexualities that differ from their own they may become uncomfortable. Cultural awareness is important because it can combat this unease. Cultural awareness is defined as the ability to recognize the different beliefs, values, and customs that someone has based on that person's origin. Being culturally aware allows a person to build successful and professional relationships in a diverse environment.
Cultural Self Awareness There are many levels of Cultural Awareness. Before we get to talk about that, lets talk about What is cultural awareness and How do we build it? Cultural Awareness is the the foundation of communication and it involves the ability of standing back from ourselves and becoming aware of our cultural values, beliefs and perceptions. Then we ask ourselves "Why do we do things in a certain way? How do we look at the world everyday?