Culturally Competent Counselor
Becoming a culturally competent counselor is an ongoing process; it is vital that professionals strive to become culturally competent as it would help the counseling process and therapeutic relationship. In order to learn more about other ethnic/racial groups that are different from my own I would need to become more involved in the community, read educational literature about ethnic/racial groups, and engage directly with other ethnic/racial groups. For instance, during times when I travel to other states, I should take advantage of that opportunity and explore ethnic and culture groups. An example of this would be my trip to Pennsylvania, during that vacation, I spend time with people that are Amish. Often times there are activities and
events that take place year-around that could educate students and the community about various types of ethnic, racial, and culture groups such as pow wows. While practicing counseling skills during practicum, internships, and licensure supervision, I should seek other professional during times I feel incompetent to work with a particular ethnic/racial group. Other professionals and supervisors may know about trainings, seminars, or workshops that educate students, professional, and the community about appropriate counseling approaches for different groups. Some jobs may offer free trainings or pay for their employees’ trainings. As a professional, there may be appropriate times to ask clients about their background or to give you more information about their ethnic, racial, or culture group, especially if in a group session; this allows the counselor and others learn about specific ethnic/racial groups. Another effective way to learn about ethnic/racial groups different from mine is to conduct research, via the internet. The internet has several reliable websites (e.g. .org and .edu) that provides useful information about different ethnic, racial, and culture groups. Finally, there are some schools that offer short-term courses about specific ethnic/racial groups.
events that take place year-around that could educate students and the community about various types of ethnic, racial, and culture groups such as pow wows. While practicing counseling skills during practicum, internships, and licensure supervision, I should seek other professional during times I feel incompetent to work with a particular ethnic/racial group. Other professionals and supervisors may know about trainings, seminars, or workshops that educate students, professional, and the community about appropriate counseling approaches for different groups. Some jobs may offer free trainings or pay for their employees’ trainings. As a professional, there may be appropriate times to ask clients about their background or to give you more information about their ethnic, racial, or culture group, especially if in a group session; this allows the counselor and others learn about specific ethnic/racial groups. Another effective way to learn about ethnic/racial groups different from mine is to conduct research, via the internet. The internet has several reliable websites (e.g. .org and .edu) that provides useful information about different ethnic, racial, and culture groups. Finally, there are some schools that offer short-term courses about specific ethnic/racial groups.