Cultural competence and ethical responsibility of counselors is an issue that holds increasing importance. To be both multicultural and ethical is increasingly challenging. The population of the United States is changing quickly from a predominately white Caucasian society to an ethnically diverse society`. The Hispanic population, which represented only 9% of the population in 1990, is projected to increase to about 25% of the population by 2050. The number of African Americans, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, and American Indians/Eskimos/Aleuts will continue to increase as well (Aponte & Wohl, 2000). It has been predicted that Whites, who made up three fourths of the U.S. population in 1990, will no longer be in the majority by the …show more content…
This term refers to the cognizant appreciation of forces which impact the lives of racial/ethnic minorities on a daily basis. Accreditation guidelines for graduate training programs approved by the APA Counsel of Representatives (APA,1996). These guidelines include cultural and individual differences and diversity which addresses characteristics such as "age, color, disabilities, ethnicity, gender, language, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, and social economic status" ( )
The VISION model of culture for counselors argues that popular views of multiculturalism emphasize group differences attributable to race and ethnicity, by do not appreciate the diversity within the group. This model shifts from a group level abstraction to the individual. This approach fits the need for group and individualistic considerations for counseling ethnic groups. This model directs attention to an individual's thoughts, feelings, or actions.
V- Value and belief systems form the principles for keeping individuals oriented in a changing world; individuals learn to structure their phenomenal world according to values and preferences.
I- Internal responses to external stimuli in an individuals phenomenal world produces interactive learning
S- Structuring of an individual's phenomenal world is built on values and beliefs, which generated appropriate strategies (goal-directed behaviors).
I- Interactive
Each client is influenced by race, ethnicity, national origin, life stage, educational level, social class, and sex roles (Ibrahim, 1985). The counsellor must view the identity and development of culturally diverse people in terms of multiple interactive factors rather than a strictly cultural framework (Romero, 1985).
I believe another key characteristic trait of a counselor is one who is culturally responsive to the diverse needs of the individuals we serve. The counseling profession would be inadequate if there were a lack personal awareness of the diverse multicultural groups that create the communities in which we live in (Brinson, J. A., & Lee, C. C., 2005). To be a competent counselor, a person must possess the ability to be nonjudgmental and communicate positive unconditional regard both on a cultural and personal level that is understandable to the individual. A culturally responsive counselor is cognizant of how his or her values, biases, and assumptions may impact a person's counseling experience of diverse cultural backgrounds. In that regard, an effective counselor is able to be cognizant of
War is hard on anyone involved; however, it is especially hard on the children who are forced to live with it or in close proximity to it. Children typically lack the worldview to process the level of violence that occurs during war. The Nigerian children who were rescued from the refugee camp lived in extremely poor conditions and before arriving there were subjected to serious events that may change them forever. They are likely suffering from some severe psychological effects of war-time violence that need to be addressed in order to break the cycle of violence they may be in, but also to ensure their mental health both now and in the future. There are several aspects of psychological recovery that need to be
Ongoing efforts to remedy inequities in counseling practices continue. One way is to train multiculturally competent counselors who are aware that a “one size fits all” approach is not effective for a diverse population of clients (Gerig, 2014). The American Psychological Association created a task force focused on
It is important to be aware of one’s limitations, weaknesses and strengths in the delivery of counseling services. Taking into account the cultural values of the client, the support systems and the client’s view of the key parts of his or her makeup (the history of the client) are culture specific (because someone is of the same race does not mean that values will be the same) and does not discount the individual. Sue et al reminds us that multicultural counseling competency looks beyond racial and ethnic minorities and also includes disabilities, sexual orientation, age, and other special populations (Sue, et al, 1992).
Because multicultural counseling can have a myriad of people with different personalities and backgrounds, many ethical procedures cannot address all the circumstances that a counselor could come across. According to Diller (2011) it is critical when preparing to work with clients of a particular ethnic group by doing research into the group’s history, culture, and health issues (p. 320). This would include not only academic, professional, or web searches, but travel,
People behave accordingly to their culture which makes them to behavior in a certain direction. Thus, it is important for to a counselor to treat a client according to his or her culture. Some peoples' culture consists of religious beliefs, certain customs, rituals, which involves social, morals and values. Likewise, the part of a researcher is to deliver knowledge about the participant’s background and lifestyle which is essential for cultural competence (Sue & Sue, 2013, p. 9745). Also, (Code # A.2.c.) a researcher must respect their client’s culture and be culturally sensitive. Thus, it is important that researchers are culture competence when participants partake in a research study (ACA, 2014, p. 3). For this reason, the researcher most
In order for all people to have equal access to social justice counseling and/or therapy, there must be a universal system that allow for all people to have to have the same opportunities to help. In order for professional helpers to help all people, individuals, institutions and education systems must have the same clear vision of an ideal multicultural climate. As a student that is studying to become a counseling professional, my primary concern is enhancing my skills and gaining the experience and expertise of helping others. However, in the professional counseling field it is not about “I” it’s about working together to build systems, developing skills and helping all people. In order to influence change, one must be committed and engaged in continuously improving one’s perception of cultural identity and
The article A mixed methodological analysis of the role of culture in the clinical decision-making process is written by Hays, Prosek and McLeod (2010). In this article, the authors indicate that counseling process in the United States becomes more complex due to the dramatic growth of racial/ethnic minority populations. In this article, researchers try to address how culture as a factor impacts the clinical decision-making process with clients, and a special focus on clients’ cultural identities, counselors’ (including counseling trainees) biases and stereotypes towards clients’ cultural identities, and cultural matches between clients and counselors are also investigated.
Multicultural competence in counseling refers to the ability of a counselor to\o effectively interactive with people with different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds then their own (Cauce, 2010). Counselors must be are culturally self-aware, aware of the client’s culture, and willing to bring culture into the discussion during interactions with clients (Sue, Arredondo, & McDavis, 1994). A counselor must also be able to listen and help clients with goals and objectives without imposing their own cultural values on clients, be respectful of the counselor-client relationship and of the cultural differences, understand a client’s cultural view, and provided clients with the personalized assistance they seek.
I think that doctors have to avoid determine patients’ destiny. For example, in the book, doctors said that Lia had one day to live and she would definitely die. However, she lived many years. I think doctors could say the patient’s status is critical and they cannot provide a proper treatment since negativity could affect the patient’s health. It is important to stay positive since it will help both the doctors and the patients to achieve the best outcomes.
Starting this course in August, I didn’t realize the power that multicultural counseling had instilled in it. The fact that its central focus is around social justice and equality is a characteristic our society much needs today. Throughout the duration of this class, I learned about multicultural counseling as a whole, new theories that can be applied specifically to different racial/ethnic minorities, the ACA code of ethics, and who I want to be as a future counselor.
Engaging Diversity in Applied Settings, thus far, is one of the most impactful and influential classes I have attended. In the past four weeks of this course, the information I have received is not only interesting but I believe it is extremely useful in my everyday life. This class shows the history and impact of race and cultural diversity, it also allows me and my fellow classmates to explore each other’s viewpoints on each issue or idea. This form of organization in the classroom enforces the ideas we see written throughout the textbook. It enforces these ideas because during the discussion we see the different perspectives each person has evolved through their own worldview. Multicultural psychology: Understanding our Diverse Communities (2016) defines worldviews as “a psychological perception of the environment that determines how we think, behave, and feel” (p. 7). I believe having our participation graded in this class forces us to talk about these difficult issues and prepares me further, to use the information I am learning in my everyday, by making me more open to discussing issues of race and cultural differences. This ability to talk about these issues is a skill I see as extremely important, especially in my future career of a Clinical Psychologist.
I do agree that multicultural training is important for all counselors. Self-awareness enables us as professionals, to be aware of our biases and prejudices, which is beneficial in a therapeutic process. I also agree that acknowledging racism and cultural diversity in a counseling context is beneficial because it enables therapists to address the presenting problems in light of these issues. In addition, cross-cultural and racial awareness diminishes the likelihood to misunderstandings in the therapeutic relationship. We also have to remember, that we are fallen beings in a fallen world, and we are likely to make mistakes. However, we should constantly rely on scripture to help guide us, even as we encounter
(a) The acquisition development and inculcation of the proper value – orientation for the Survival of the individual and society;