Conceptualizing Cultural Variables in Treatment

Transcript:Conceptualizing Cultural Variables in Treatment:
Conceptualizing Cultural Variables in Treatment Michele D. Aluoch, LPCC 2017 Language Race- the biology of a person, sociopolitical Culture Ethnicity- construct based on shared language, culture, traditions, and history Gender Age Socioeconomic status Spiritual views/other values Defining “Multicultural” CULTURE =“any group of people who identify or associate with one another on the basis of some common purpose, need, or similarity of background” (e.g. music, living arrangements, beliefs, hobbies, etc.), “those who have agreement about the way its done” (Hendricks, K.T., 2005) Defining “Multicultural” “the coming together of two or more people from different cultural backgrounds in a helping relationship.” (Torres-Rivers, E., Phan, L.T., Maddux, C., Wilbur, M.P., & Garrett, M.T., 2001) Defining “Multicultural” Melting pot- put all into one culture Tossed salad- distinct yet create a new whole Patchwork quilt- interdependent yet unique What do we call “America?” Multicultural competence- the extent to which counselors possess appropriate levels of self-awareness, knowledge, and skills in working with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds Multicultural Competence Emotional stability- when new and potentially stressful situations Social initiative- taking initiative to approach what’s new and different Flexibility- How new situations may be interpreted Key Personality Attributes: Multicultural Competency Without training: Cultural encapsulation Reactions based on stereotypes Ignoring cultural differences Avoiding critical subjects Focusing on techniques to the exclusion of client factors KEY= Counseling is not culture free!!! Risks if Not Multiculturally Competent Real world exposure to various cultures Development of critical consciousness Movement from interest in knowing more to advocacy and social justice Counselor as guest in other’s world Includes interaction with community members Beyond the counseling office Living their ongoing narrative Developmental connections one might not ordinarily have Letting go of the way I do it Our Solution: Cultural Immersion (Barden, S.M. & Cashwell, C. S., 2016) Used to be called “minority counseling.” As recently as 2000, only 80% required multicultural counseling and only at the one course level. Only 49% of psych /counseling programs integrated the issue of multicultural counseling across courses History of Multicultural Counseling (Robinson, D.T., & Morris, J.R., 2000) professional identity social and cultural diversity human growth and development career development helping relationships group work assessment research and program evaluation Multicultural Counseling Domains Taking a multicultural course Infusing multicultural content into courses Both of above Methods of Equipping Counselors to be Multicultural Competent Traditional strategies- reading assignments, videos, lectures Exposure strategies- presentations by a representative of a given group Participatory