Chapter 6 Multicultural Counseling

1. Chapter 6 Multicultural Counseling Process in which desired outcomes are not impeded by cultural differences between counselor and client. Counselors must sensitize themselves to the uniqueness of the many different cultures comprising the population or risk alienating the Minority client.

2. Key Points Culture includes all aspects of Human Life and is a process by which groups impose order on and meaning in their life experience. -Erchak(1992) 2. Culture is Verbal, visual, rhythmic,temporal, and symbolic

3. Cultural Pluralism Replaces the term �melting pot�, it focuses on retaining and valuing the diverse aspects of every culture that constitutes our Nation. Diversity exists within each culture

4. Multicultural clients are more likely than whites to have unfavorable experiences in the following aspects of counseling (Ridley 1995) Diagnosis- Minority clients tend to receive more misdiagnosis. Staff assignments- Tend to be assigned to junior professionals, or non-professionals rather than senior or more highly trained professionals. Treatment Modality- Tend to receive low-cost, less preferred treatment rather than intensive psychotherapy.

5. Utilization- Minorities are overrepresented in public facilities and underrepresented in private institutions. Treatment duration- Tend to show higher rate of termination and dropout. Attitudes- Minority clients report more dissatisfaction regarding treatment

6. African Americans 33 million in 1995 Client Characteristics to be aware of: Aware of the diversity within the culture Psychological strengths such as flexibility, forgiveness, resilience, and persistence Value God and family and getting along with others and believing the best in everyone. Coping strategies Denial isolation Repression Introjection

7. Successful counselor should: Rely on the core conditions. Use directive as apposed to passive, non-directive approaches Attend to non-verbal behavior Be available

8. Asian Americans 9.5 million in 1995 Group includes Japanese, Chinese, Philippines, Koreans, etc. Counseling and other mental health related therapies are not well known or accepted by Asian Americans Well-defined and strong family roles and values

9. Successful Counselor should: Use restraint when gathering information very private group Use of role -play is very important Focus on specific problem only. Take active role Asian clients will rely on the counselor to guide Help client with social needs and various forms.

10. Latin Americans 27 million in 1996 Fastest growing minority group. Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Cuban make up the majority. The Family is considered the most prominent of social institutions Parental authority is unquestioned and gender roles are well defined

11. Successful Counselor Be aware of stereotyping Treat client with dignity by correctly pronouncing their names Stay away from certain assessment techniques

12. Native Americans 2 million in 1996 Have been essentially isolated from American culture and many live in poverty on reservation. Vast diversity, with over 500 tribes Manifest a respect and desire for family and tribe. Giving, sharing, and cooperation are long-standing values

13. Successful Counselor Non-threatening approach Observe non-verbal clues Native Americans tend to �Look Down� as a sign of respect

14. Arab Americans Emerging Minority group Estimated 3,000,000 in 1996, not including 40,000 temp. students. . As a group, have received little attention from the counseling profession A. Very Patriarchal B. Children expected to care for Elders.

15. Summary Develop cultural self-awareness Avoid value imposition Accept your naivet� as a multicultural counselor Show cultural empathy Don�t blame the victim

16. Effective Multicultural Counselors: 1. Recognize their own values and assumptions and also those of the client. 2. They realize that no Theory is politically or morally neutral. 3. Understand the external forces that may have shaped or influenced the client . 4. Recognize verbal and non-verbal clues