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Multicultural Counselling Multicultural Counselling and Psychotheraphy.and Psychotheraphy.

Lecture 1Lecture 1

IntroductionIntroduction

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THE COUNSELOR'S THE COUNSELOR'S CULTURE CULTURE

A major assumption for culturally effective A major assumption for culturally effective counseling and psychotherapy is that we can counseling and psychotherapy is that we can acknowledge our own basic tendencies, the ways acknowledge our own basic tendencies, the ways we comprehend other cultures, and the limits our we comprehend other cultures, and the limits our culture places on our comprehension. It is culture places on our comprehension. It is essential to understand our own cultural heritage essential to understand our own cultural heritage and world view before we set about understanding and world view before we set about understanding and assisting other people (Ibrahim, 1985; Lauver, and assisting other people (Ibrahim, 1985; Lauver, 1986). This understanding includes an awareness 1986). This understanding includes an awareness of one's own philosophies of life and capabilities, a of one's own philosophies of life and capabilities, a recognition of different structures of reasoning, recognition of different structures of reasoning, and an understanding of their effects on one's and an understanding of their effects on one's communication and helping style (Ibrahim, 1985). communication and helping style (Ibrahim, 1985). Lack of such understanding may hinder effective Lack of such understanding may hinder effective intervention (McKenzie, 1986). intervention (McKenzie, 1986).

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THE COUNSELOR'S THE COUNSELOR'S CULTURECULTURE

Part of this self-awareness is the Part of this self-awareness is the acknowledgement that the "counselor culture" acknowledgement that the "counselor culture" has at its core a set of white cultural values and has at its core a set of white cultural values and norms by which clients are judged (Katz, 1985; norms by which clients are judged (Katz, 1985; Lauver, 1986). This acculturation is Lauver, 1986). This acculturation is simultaneously general, professional, and simultaneously general, professional, and personal (Lauver, 1986). Underlying assumptions personal (Lauver, 1986). Underlying assumptions about a cultural group, personal stereotypes or about a cultural group, personal stereotypes or racism, and traditional counseling approaches racism, and traditional counseling approaches may all signal acquiescence to white culture. may all signal acquiescence to white culture. Identification of specific white cultural values and Identification of specific white cultural values and their influence on counseling will help to counter their influence on counseling will help to counter the effects of this framework (Katz, 1985). the effects of this framework (Katz, 1985).

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THE COUNSELOR'S THE COUNSELOR'S CULTURECULTURE

Adherence to a specific counseling theory or Adherence to a specific counseling theory or method may also limit the success of method may also limit the success of counseling. Many cultural groups do not share counseling. Many cultural groups do not share the values implied by the methods and thus the values implied by the methods and thus do not share the counselor's expectations for do not share the counselor's expectations for the conduct or outcome of the counseling the conduct or outcome of the counseling session. To counter these differences, session. To counter these differences, effective counselors must investigate their effective counselors must investigate their clients' cultural background and be open to clients' cultural background and be open to flexible definitions of "appropriate" or flexible definitions of "appropriate" or "correct" behavior (LaFromboise, 1985). "correct" behavior (LaFromboise, 1985).

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THE COUNSELOR'S THE COUNSELOR'S CULTURECULTURE

Another counseling barrier is language. Another counseling barrier is language. Language differences may be perhaps the Language differences may be perhaps the most important stumbling block to effective most important stumbling block to effective multicultural counseling and assessment multicultural counseling and assessment (Romero, 1985). Language barriers impede (Romero, 1985). Language barriers impede the counseling process when clients cannot the counseling process when clients cannot express the complexity of their thoughts express the complexity of their thoughts and feelings or resist discussing affectively and feelings or resist discussing affectively charged issues. Counselors, too, may charged issues. Counselors, too, may become frustrated by their lack of bilingual become frustrated by their lack of bilingual ability. At the worst, language barriers may ability. At the worst, language barriers may lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate placement (Romero, 1985). placement (Romero, 1985).

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THE CLIENT'S CULTURE THE CLIENT'S CULTURE As counselors incorporate a greater awareness of As counselors incorporate a greater awareness of

their clients' culture into their theory and practice, their clients' culture into their theory and practice, they must realize that, historically, cultural they must realize that, historically, cultural differences have been viewed as deficits (Romero, differences have been viewed as deficits (Romero, 1985). Adherence to white cultural values has 1985). Adherence to white cultural values has brought about a naive imposition of narrowly brought about a naive imposition of narrowly defined criteria for normality on culturally diverse defined criteria for normality on culturally diverse people (Pedersen, 1986). Multicultural counseling, people (Pedersen, 1986). Multicultural counseling, however, seeks to rectify this imbalance by however, seeks to rectify this imbalance by acknowledging cultural diversity, appreciating the acknowledging cultural diversity, appreciating the value of the culture and using it to aid the client. value of the culture and using it to aid the client. Although the variety of cultures is vast, the Although the variety of cultures is vast, the following examples indicate the types of cultural following examples indicate the types of cultural issues and their effects on the counseling situation. issues and their effects on the counseling situation.

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THE CLIENT'S CULTURETHE CLIENT'S CULTURE In the cultural value system of Chinese Americans, In the cultural value system of Chinese Americans,

passivity rather than assertiveness is revered, passivity rather than assertiveness is revered, quiescence rather than verbal articulation is a sign quiescence rather than verbal articulation is a sign of wisdom, and self-effacement rather than of wisdom, and self-effacement rather than confrontation is a model of refinement (Ching and confrontation is a model of refinement (Ching and Prosen, 1980). Since humility and modesty are so Prosen, 1980). Since humility and modesty are so valued, it is difficult for counselors to draw out a valued, it is difficult for counselors to draw out a response from a Chinese American in a group response from a Chinese American in a group setting. The reticence which reinforces silence and setting. The reticence which reinforces silence and withdrawal as appropriate ways of dealing with withdrawal as appropriate ways of dealing with conflict may be interpreted as resistance by the conflict may be interpreted as resistance by the uneducated counselor. Democratic counselors may uneducated counselor. Democratic counselors may also be uneasy with the role of the "all-knowing also be uneasy with the role of the "all-knowing father" that the Chinese respect for authority father" that the Chinese respect for authority bestows on them (Ching and Prosen, 1980). bestows on them (Ching and Prosen, 1980).

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THE CLIENT'S CULTURETHE CLIENT'S CULTURE Africans place great value on the family, especially Africans place great value on the family, especially

their children, who are seen as a gift from God, and their children, who are seen as a gift from God, and on social relationships, with a great emphasis on on social relationships, with a great emphasis on the community and their place in it. In this context the community and their place in it. In this context social conflict resolution becomes important, so social conflict resolution becomes important, so that peace and equilibrium may be restored to the that peace and equilibrium may be restored to the community, while personal conduct becomes community, while personal conduct becomes secondary (McFadden and Gbekobov, 1984). secondary (McFadden and Gbekobov, 1984).

Many African values also influence contemporary Many African values also influence contemporary American Black behavior, including the notion of American Black behavior, including the notion of unity, the survival of the group, oral tradition, unity, the survival of the group, oral tradition, extended kinship networks, self-concept, concept extended kinship networks, self-concept, concept of time, and control of the environment. of time, and control of the environment.

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THE CLIENT'S CULTURETHE CLIENT'S CULTURE In his discussion of counseling the Northern Natives of In his discussion of counseling the Northern Natives of

Canada, Darou (1987) notes that counseling is seen as Canada, Darou (1987) notes that counseling is seen as cultural racism when it does not fit native values. These cultural racism when it does not fit native values. These values are: cooperation, concreteness, lack of interference, values are: cooperation, concreteness, lack of interference, respect for elders, the tendency to organize by space rather respect for elders, the tendency to organize by space rather than time, and dealing with the land as an animate, not an than time, and dealing with the land as an animate, not an inanimate, object. inanimate, object.

Bernal and Flores-Ortiz (1982) point out that Latin cultures Bernal and Flores-Ortiz (1982) point out that Latin cultures view the family as the primary source of support for its view the family as the primary source of support for its members. Any suggestion that the family is not fulfilling members. Any suggestion that the family is not fulfilling that obligation can bring shame, added stress, and an that obligation can bring shame, added stress, and an increased reluctance to seek professional services. increased reluctance to seek professional services. Involving the family in treatment will most likely insure Involving the family in treatment will most likely insure successful counseling outcomes with Latinos. successful counseling outcomes with Latinos.

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INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES There is always the danger of stereotyping clients and of There is always the danger of stereotyping clients and of

confusing other influences, especially race and confusing other influences, especially race and socioeconomic status, with cultural influences. The most socioeconomic status, with cultural influences. The most obvious danger in counseling is to oversimplify the client's obvious danger in counseling is to oversimplify the client's social system by emphasizing the most obvious aspects of social system by emphasizing the most obvious aspects of their background (Pedersen, 1986). While universal their background (Pedersen, 1986). While universal categories are necessary to understand human experience, categories are necessary to understand human experience, losing sight of specific individual factors would lead to losing sight of specific individual factors would lead to ethical violations (Ibrahim, 1985). Individual clients are ethical violations (Ibrahim, 1985). Individual clients are influenced by race, ethnicity, national origin, life stage, influenced by race, ethnicity, national origin, life stage, educational level, social class, and sex roles (Ibrahim, educational level, social class, and sex roles (Ibrahim, 1985). Counselors must view the identity and development 1985). Counselors must view the identity and development of culturally diverse people in terms of multiple, interactive of culturally diverse people in terms of multiple, interactive factors, rather than a strictly cultural framework (Romero, factors, rather than a strictly cultural framework (Romero, 1985). A pluralistic counselor considers all facets of the 1985). A pluralistic counselor considers all facets of the client's personal history, family history, and social and client's personal history, family history, and social and cultural orientation (Arcinega and Newlou, 1981). cultural orientation (Arcinega and Newlou, 1981).

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INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCESINDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES One of the most important differences for multicultural One of the most important differences for multicultural

counseling is the difference between race and culture. counseling is the difference between race and culture. Differences exist among racial groups as well as within each Differences exist among racial groups as well as within each group. Various ethnic identifications exist within each of the group. Various ethnic identifications exist within each of the five racial groups. Some examples include: Asian/Island Pacific five racial groups. Some examples include: Asian/Island Pacific (Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese); Black (Cajun, Haitian, (Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese); Black (Cajun, Haitian, and Tanzanian); Hispanic (Cuban, Mexican and Puerto Rican); and Tanzanian); Hispanic (Cuban, Mexican and Puerto Rican); Native American (Kiowa, Hopi, and Zuni); and White (British, Native American (Kiowa, Hopi, and Zuni); and White (British, Dutch, and German). Even though these ethnic groups may Dutch, and German). Even though these ethnic groups may share the physical characteristics of race, they may not share the physical characteristics of race, they may not necessarily share the value and belief structures of a common necessarily share the value and belief structures of a common culture (Katz, 1985). Counselors must be cautious in assuming, culture (Katz, 1985). Counselors must be cautious in assuming, for instance, that all Blacks or all Asians have similar cultural for instance, that all Blacks or all Asians have similar cultural backgrounds. McKenzie (1986) notes that West Indian backgrounds. McKenzie (1986) notes that West Indian American clients do not have the same cultural experience of American clients do not have the same cultural experience of Afro-American Blacks and are culturally different from other Afro-American Blacks and are culturally different from other Black subculture groups. Counselors who can understand West Black subculture groups. Counselors who can understand West Indian dialects and the accompanying nonverbal language are Indian dialects and the accompanying nonverbal language are more likely to achieve positive outcomes with these clients. more likely to achieve positive outcomes with these clients.

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CONCLUSION CONCLUSION

Although it is impossible to change backgrounds, pluralistic Although it is impossible to change backgrounds, pluralistic counselors can avoid the problems of stereotyping and false counselors can avoid the problems of stereotyping and false expectations by examining their own values and norms, expectations by examining their own values and norms, researching their clients' backgrounds, and finding counseling researching their clients' backgrounds, and finding counseling methods to suit the clients' needs. Counselors cannot adopt their methods to suit the clients' needs. Counselors cannot adopt their clients' ethnicity or cultural heritage, but they can become more clients' ethnicity or cultural heritage, but they can become more sensitive to these things and to their own and their clients' biases. sensitive to these things and to their own and their clients' biases. Clinical sensitivity toward client expectation, attributions, values, Clinical sensitivity toward client expectation, attributions, values, roles, beliefs, and themes of coping and vulnerability is always roles, beliefs, and themes of coping and vulnerability is always necessary for effective outcomes (LaFromboise, 1985). Three necessary for effective outcomes (LaFromboise, 1985). Three questions which counselors might use in assessing their approach questions which counselors might use in assessing their approach are as follows (Jereb, 1982): (1) Within what framework or context are as follows (Jereb, 1982): (1) Within what framework or context can I understand this client (assessment)? (2) Within what context can I understand this client (assessment)? (2) Within what context do client and counselor determine what change in functioning is do client and counselor determine what change in functioning is desirable (goal)? (3) What techniques can be used to effect the desirable (goal)? (3) What techniques can be used to effect the desired change (intervention)? Examination of their own desired change (intervention)? Examination of their own assumptions, acceptance of the multiplicity of variables that assumptions, acceptance of the multiplicity of variables that constitute an individual's identity, and development of a client constitute an individual's identity, and development of a client centered, balanced counseling method will aid the multicultural centered, balanced counseling method will aid the multicultural counselor in providing effective help. counselor in providing effective help.

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Multicultural Counselling is a primer Multicultural Counselling is a primer designed to teach counselling students how designed to teach counselling students how to deal effectively with such discrepancies. to deal effectively with such discrepancies.

It provides a complete introductory It provides a complete introductory framework and addresses a wide range of framework and addresses a wide range of topics, including the past, present, and topics, including the past, present, and future of multicultural counselling, future of multicultural counselling, assessment issues, understanding assessment issues, understanding differences, cultural identity development, differences, cultural identity development, and developing counselling competencies.and developing counselling competencies.

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To recognize the individuality of a To recognize the individuality of a client while simultaneously client while simultaneously acknowledging and honoring the deep acknowledging and honoring the deep cultural values held by the client.cultural values held by the client.

counselor or therapist must be counselor or therapist must be extremely sensitive to cross-cultural extremely sensitive to cross-cultural issues: to the individual, to the culture issues: to the individual, to the culture of the client, and to his or her of the client, and to his or her ownown prejudices and racism. prejudices and racism.

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Belief and attitude, they contend, Belief and attitude, they contend, might rank as high on the building-might rank as high on the building-trust scale as cultural awareness, trust scale as cultural awareness, which would augur against my being which would augur against my being right .right .

Eg. because I’m Gay; and so I backed Eg. because I’m Gay; and so I backed off. But not without reservations off. But not without reservations about the groups’ understanding of about the groups’ understanding of cultural differences (including the cultural differences (including the Gay man and the Lesbian!)Gay man and the Lesbian!)

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THE POLITICS AND PITFALLS OF THE POLITICS AND PITFALLS OF MULTICULTURAL COUNSELLINGMULTICULTURAL COUNSELLING

First,First, racism is a basic and integral racism is a basic and integral part of U.S. life and permeates all part of U.S. life and permeates all aspects of our culture and institutions. aspects of our culture and institutions.

SecondSecond, Whites are socialized into , Whites are socialized into U.S. society and, therefore, inherit the U.S. society and, therefore, inherit the biases, stereotypes, and racist biases, stereotypes, and racist attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of the society. In other words, all Whites the society. In other words, all Whites are racist whether knowingly or are racist whether knowingly or unknowingly. unknowingly.

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ThirdThird, how Whites perceive , how Whites perceive themselves as racial beings seems to themselves as racial beings seems to follow an identifiable sequence that follow an identifiable sequence that can be called stages. can be called stages.

FourthFourth, the stage of White racial , the stage of White racial identity development in a cross-identity development in a cross-cultural encounter (counseling cultural encounter (counseling minorities, counselor training, etc.) minorities, counselor training, etc.) affects the process and outcome of affects the process and outcome of an interracial relationship. an interracial relationship.

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Last,Last, the most desirable stage is the the most desirable stage is the one where the White person not only one where the White person not only accepts his/her Whiteness, but accepts his/her Whiteness, but defines it in a nondefensive and defines it in a nondefensive and nonracist manner (Sue and Sue, nonracist manner (Sue and Sue, 1990, p. 113).1990, p. 113).

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Counselors like mental health professionals, Counselors like mental health professionals, havehave

a personal and professional responsibility to a personal and professional responsibility to (a) confront, become aware of, and take (a) confront, become aware of, and take

actions in dealing with our biases, actions in dealing with our biases, stereotypes, values, and assumptions about stereotypes, values, and assumptions about human behavior, human behavior,

(b) become aware of the culturally different (b) become aware of the culturally different client’s world view, values, biases, and client’s world view, values, biases, and assumptions about human behavior, and assumptions about human behavior, and

(c) develop appropriate help-giving practices, (c) develop appropriate help-giving practices, intervention strategies, and structures that intervention strategies, and structures that take into account the historical, cultural, and take into account the historical, cultural, and environmental experiences/influences of the environmental experiences/influences of the culturally different client culturally different client

(Sue and Sue, 1990, p. 6).(Sue and Sue, 1990, p. 6).

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Sometimes the Counselor thinks that it is Sometimes the Counselor thinks that it is important to look also at our sometimes important to look also at our sometimes unconscious attachment to the idea that unconscious attachment to the idea that our world view (as individuals) is better our world view (as individuals) is better than anyone else’s, regardless of race. than anyone else’s, regardless of race.

It is far too easy to assume that a client It is far too easy to assume that a client will "get better" after seeing the world will "get better" after seeing the world though "the Counselor’s" ideological though "the Counselor’s" ideological eyes. eyes.

The hard part is to work with a client, The hard part is to work with a client, helping him or her find his or her helping him or her find his or her ownown best way (within the laws of the country).best way (within the laws of the country).

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Moral values Moral values

Moral values are much harder to Moral values are much harder to assess in a multicultural assess in a multicultural environment, since there are so environment, since there are so many different ones. many different ones.

The work a therapist must do is The work a therapist must do is around feeling threatened by the around feeling threatened by the client’s values or, worse yet, ignorant client’s values or, worse yet, ignorant of what exactly a client is expressing of what exactly a client is expressing by espousing certain values. by espousing certain values.

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An example is about monogamy. In Gay An example is about monogamy. In Gay culture, or in Lesbian culture, open culture, or in Lesbian culture, open relationships are considered acceptable. relationships are considered acceptable.

When a Gay man or Lesbian comes to When a Gay man or Lesbian comes to see a counsellor with personal problems see a counsellor with personal problems and mentions the fact that they are in and mentions the fact that they are in an open relationship, the counsellor an open relationship, the counsellor cannot help thinking if this is really a cannot help thinking if this is really a part of the problem, and further, part of the problem, and further, whether his values around monogamy whether his values around monogamy are going to interfere with his treatment are going to interfere with his treatment planning.planning.

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Sue and Sue (1990) state that much Sue and Sue (1990) state that much of the reason minority populations of the reason minority populations generally tend to avoid counseling is generally tend to avoid counseling is the counselor’s (general) lack of the counselor’s (general) lack of cultural sensitivity and mistrust of a cultural sensitivity and mistrust of a practice that essentially is geared practice that essentially is geared toward White middle-class America. toward White middle-class America.

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There is no question that cross-cultural There is no question that cross-cultural counseling needs to be taught to would-be counseling needs to be taught to would-be counselors.counselors.

The curriculum must be designed to The curriculum must be designed to stimulate this awareness not solely at a stimulate this awareness not solely at a cognitive level. It must enable students to cognitive level. It must enable students to understand feelings of helplessness and understand feelings of helplessness and powerlessness, low self-esteem, poor self-powerlessness, low self-esteem, poor self-concept, and how they contribute to low concept, and how they contribute to low motivation, frustration, hate, ambivalence, motivation, frustration, hate, ambivalence, and apathy. and apathy.

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Each course should contain Each course should contain (a) a (a) a consciousness-raisingconsciousness-raising

component, (b) and component, (b) and affectiveaffective component, component,

(c) a (c) a knowledgeknowledge component, and component, and (d) a (d) a skillsskills component component

(Sue and Sue, 1990, p. 16).(Sue and Sue, 1990, p. 16).

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An Effective Multicultural An Effective Multicultural CounselorCounselor

the effective the effective personperson, much less , much less counselor or therapist must have a counselor or therapist must have a wide-world view to be effective, wide-world view to be effective, even even ifif his or her friends or clients are his or her friends or clients are exclusively from one culture only!exclusively from one culture only!

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To overcome the politics of To overcome the politics of counseling, counseling,

First, the counseling profession must take First, the counseling profession must take initiative in confronting the potential initiative in confronting the potential political nature of counseling (Katz, 1985)....political nature of counseling (Katz, 1985)....

Second, the counseling profession must Second, the counseling profession must move quickly to challenge certain move quickly to challenge certain assumptions that permeate our training assumptions that permeate our training programs....programs....

Third, research can be a powerful means of Third, research can be a powerful means of combating stereotypes and of correcting combating stereotypes and of correcting biased studies....biased studies....

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Fourth, there is a strong need for Fourth, there is a strong need for counseling to attract more ethnic minorities counseling to attract more ethnic minorities to the profession, complex as this issue is....to the profession, complex as this issue is....

Fifth, counselors must realize that many so-Fifth, counselors must realize that many so-called pathological socio-emotional called pathological socio-emotional characteristics of ethnic minorities can be characteristics of ethnic minorities can be directly attributed to unfair practices in directly attributed to unfair practices in society....society....

Last, making research with minorities a Last, making research with minorities a community endeavor can do much to lower community endeavor can do much to lower hostility and develop trust between hostility and develop trust between researcher and subject.researcher and subject.

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Counselor RolesCounselor Roles

alternative roles involve the alternative roles involve the counselor more actively in the counselor more actively in the client’s life experiences than what we client’s life experiences than what we have traditionally been trained to do. have traditionally been trained to do.

Outreach roles, consultant roles, Outreach roles, consultant roles, change-agent roles, or the use of the change-agent roles, or the use of the client’s indigenous support systems client’s indigenous support systems may be more appropriate., may be more appropriate.,

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Client’s PerceptionsClient’s Perceptions

Many minority group individuals find Many minority group individuals find the one-to-one/in-office type of the one-to-one/in-office type of counseling very formal, removed, counseling very formal, removed, and alien. and alien.

When counselors move out of their When counselors move out of their offices into the environments of their offices into the environments of their clients, it again indicates clients, it again indicates commitment and interest in the commitment and interest in the individual .individual .

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Research FindingResearch Finding

many non-White cultures don’t prize many non-White cultures don’t prize assertive individuality or instant self-assertive individuality or instant self-disclosure, may prefer a more subtle disclosure, may prefer a more subtle approach to discussing feelings, may approach to discussing feelings, may not deal in direct eye contact, and not deal in direct eye contact, and may, in fact, be distrustful of the may, in fact, be distrustful of the whole concept of psychology. whole concept of psychology.

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Research FindingResearch Finding

African Americans may prefer what African Americans may prefer what seems a more confrontational style seems a more confrontational style of communicating, and it will of communicating, and it will probably be more high-context than probably be more high-context than White communication, as is true for White communication, as is true for most non-White cultures.most non-White cultures.

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counselors in order to be effective in counselors in order to be effective in what is rapidly becoming a truly multi-what is rapidly becoming a truly multi-cultural U. S., will have to adapt to the cultural U. S., will have to adapt to the cultural exegencies of their clients in cultural exegencies of their clients in many ways, and try to accommodate many ways, and try to accommodate their belief systems more, perhaps, their belief systems more, perhaps, than trying to fit them into a neat U. S. than trying to fit them into a neat U. S. psychology which is no longer (if it ever psychology which is no longer (if it ever was) a one-size-fits-all movement. was) a one-size-fits-all movement.

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Additionally, it will become Additionally, it will become increasingly important for the increasingly important for the culturally-skilled counselor to have culturally-skilled counselor to have more out-of-office experiences, more out-of-office experiences, sometimes advocating for their sometimes advocating for their clients and sometimes getting clients and sometimes getting involved in social and political involved in social and political causes.causes.

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it is necessary for the culturally-it is necessary for the culturally-skilled counselor to have a working skilled counselor to have a working knowledge of the client’s culture, it knowledge of the client’s culture, it may be as important that the may be as important that the counselor bring an attitude and belief counselor bring an attitude and belief system to the session that the client system to the session that the client perceives to be trustworthy. perceives to be trustworthy.

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It is in the fundamental areas of It is in the fundamental areas of communication (with self and communication (with self and others), trust (in self and in others), others), trust (in self and in others), and the basic hope and faith that and the basic hope and faith that there can be a reasonably happy there can be a reasonably happy future that healing may beginfuture that healing may begin

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Different valuesDifferent values

many cultures don’t value many cultures don’t value verbalizations the same way U. S. verbalizations the same way U. S. Americans do. Americans do.

many Japanese clients respond with many Japanese clients respond with silence to a counselor who is older, silence to a counselor who is older, "wiser," and who occupies a position "wiser," and who occupies a position of higher status of higher status

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InsightInsight

insight isn’t necessarily prized for many insight isn’t necessarily prized for many clients from different cultures clients from different cultures

insight assumes that one has time to sit insight assumes that one has time to sit back, to reflect and to contemplate back, to reflect and to contemplate about motivations and behavior.about motivations and behavior.

the individual who is concerned about the individual who is concerned about making it through each day, this making it through each day, this orientation proves counter productive. orientation proves counter productive.

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InsightInsight

Many cultural groups do not value insight. Many cultural groups do not value insight. In traditional Chinese society, psychology In traditional Chinese society, psychology

is not well understood. It must be noted, is not well understood. It must be noted, however, that a client who does not seem however, that a client who does not seem to work well in an insight approach may to work well in an insight approach may not be lacking in insight or lacking in not be lacking in insight or lacking in psychological-mindedness. psychological-mindedness.

A person who does not value insight is A person who does not value insight is not necessarily one who is incapable of not necessarily one who is incapable of insight insight

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Client ExpectationClient Expectation

Another important cultural distinction Another important cultural distinction is what is expected from a counselor is what is expected from a counselor by a culturally different client. by a culturally different client.

Many times, a culturally different Many times, a culturally different client will expect a counselor to client will expect a counselor to effect change just as a physician effect change just as a physician might, and at the least, give might, and at the least, give directions that will help cure the directions that will help cure the problem. problem.

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Disclosure in counseling might bring Disclosure in counseling might bring shame on the family, and the shame on the family, and the counselor is not seen as someone in counselor is not seen as someone in whom to confide, but rather as whom to confide, but rather as someone to mend the hurt. someone to mend the hurt.

It is significant to note that for some It is significant to note that for some people, "avoidance of morbid people, "avoidance of morbid thoughts is the way to deal with thoughts is the way to deal with psychological problems, not sitting psychological problems, not sitting down and talking about them" down and talking about them"

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Effective CounselingEffective Counseling

For effective counseling to occur, both the For effective counseling to occur, both the counselor and client must be able to counselor and client must be able to sendsend and and receivereceive both both verbalverbal and and nonverbalnonverbal messages messages accuratelyaccurately and and appropriatelyappropriately. .

counseling is a form of communication. It counseling is a form of communication. It requires that the counselor not only requires that the counselor not only sendsend messages (make himself or herself messages (make himself or herself understood), but also understood), but also receivereceive messages messages (attend to what is going on with the (attend to what is going on with the client). client).

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The definition for effective counseling The definition for effective counseling also includes also includes verbalverbal (content of what (content of what is said) and is said) and nonverbalnonverbal (how (how something is said) elements. something is said) elements.

most counselors seem more most counselors seem more concerned with the concerned with the accuracyaccuracy of of communications (let’s get to the communications (let’s get to the heart of the matter) rather than with heart of the matter) rather than with whether the communication is whether the communication is appropriateappropriate. .

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In traditional Asian culture, for In traditional Asian culture, for example, subtlety is a highly prized art. example, subtlety is a highly prized art.

The direct and confrontive techniques The direct and confrontive techniques in counseling may be perceived by in counseling may be perceived by traditional Asian clients as "lacking in traditional Asian clients as "lacking in respect for the client," a "crude and respect for the client," a "crude and rude form of communication," and a rude form of communication," and a "reflection of insensitivity." "reflection of insensitivity."

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In most cases, counselors have been In most cases, counselors have been trained to tune in to the content of trained to tune in to the content of what is said, rather than how what is said, rather than how something is said (Sue and Sue, something is said (Sue and Sue, 1990, p. 51) 1990, p. 51)

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Culturally Skilled CounselorCulturally Skilled Counselor First,First, a culturally skilled counselor is one a culturally skilled counselor is one

who is actively in the process of becoming who is actively in the process of becoming aware of his/her own assumptions about aware of his/her own assumptions about human behavior, values, biases, human behavior, values, biases, preconceived notions, personal limitations, preconceived notions, personal limitations, and so forth. and so forth.

SecondSecond, a culturally skilled counselor is one , a culturally skilled counselor is one who actively attempts to understand the who actively attempts to understand the world view of his/her culturally different world view of his/her culturally different client. In other words, what are the client’s client. In other words, what are the client’s values and assumptions about human values and assumptions about human behavior biases, and so on? behavior biases, and so on?

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Culturally Skilled CounselorCulturally Skilled Counselor

ThirdThird, a culturally skilled counselor is , a culturally skilled counselor is one who is in the process of actively one who is in the process of actively developing and practicing developing and practicing appropriate, relevant, and sensitive appropriate, relevant, and sensitive intervention strategies/skills in intervention strategies/skills in working with his or her culturally working with his or her culturally different client different client

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The CounselorThe Counselor

In addition to the counselor working In addition to the counselor working on his or her own internal processes on his or her own internal processes around cultures different from his or around cultures different from his or her own, Sue and Sue (1990) believe her own, Sue and Sue (1990) believe strongly that counselors working with strongly that counselors working with culturally different people must be culturally different people must be prepared to "exercise institutional prepared to "exercise institutional intervention...when appropriate intervention...when appropriate

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the counselor, whether working with the counselor, whether working with culturally different people or his or culturally different people or his or her own culture must be able to see her own culture must be able to see and step beyond the traditional roles and step beyond the traditional roles and barriers and boundaries where and barriers and boundaries where appropriate. appropriate.

this action must be done from an this action must be done from an ethical and moral standpoint can ethical and moral standpoint can almost go without saying. almost go without saying.