Multi-Cultural Issues In Mental Health Counseling
Examing the Current State of the Profession
Multi-Cultural Issues in Mental Health Counseling
November 18, 2013
Examing the Current State of the Profession
“Multicultural counseling/therapy means understanding the worldviews and life experiences of diverse groups in our nation” (Sue, 2013, p.89). Understanding people’s attitudes and past experiences shape who they are as individuals. The true beauty of our society is the ability to encounter all walks of life and learn from each other, rather than fear one another. Counselors see firsthand culturally diverse clients and must take into consideration their beliefs and attitudes and give the most effective care.
Significant Historical Changes that Influenced Cultural …show more content…
Counseling
Education
The education of counselors and therapist are derived from a Euro-American perspective. The curriculum and matriculation through programs of higher learning are based on Euro-American experiences. Because of the vast changes in the diverse population counselors have become culturally competent. They do not just take into account educational training, but incorporate the understanding of worldviews by their diverse clientele. According to D.W. Sue counselors do not have to experience the diversity of their clients, but can understand their views without judgment (2013).
Therapeutic Treatment and Training Therapeutic treatment and training has also historically changed in cultural counseling.
The concept of one approach for all clients has been drastically challenged. Marginalized members of society are skeptical of formalized processes of therapy. Because of cultural differences therapist must use different approaches to yield positive results, “talk-therapy” and self-disclosure are not always conducive to different minority groups. Traditional therapy settings have also been reevaluated while treating the culturally diverse. Counselors have left the comfort of their office of couches and flush chairs to reach the diverse in more comfortable setting such as their homes and …show more content…
communities.
Changes in Worldview, Culture, Ethnicity, Prejudice, and Privilege
Worldview
Worldview is defined as how you see the world around you (“Merriam-Webster”, 2013). Therapists no longer only see the world through the eyes of Euro-American, but can now look also through the eyes of the minority.
Culture
The cumulative deposit of knowledge, experience, and beliefs, culture is the system of knowledge shared by a relatively large group of people (“Merriam-Webster”, 2013). Clients cultural backgrounds are taken into account during therapy, some processes that are widely accepted in American culture are deemed disrespectful in other cultures.
Ethnicity
Ethnicity is ethnic character, background, or affiliation, an ethnic group (“Merriam-Webster”, 2013). All ethnic groups are included and welcomed in therapy.
Prejudice
Prejudice is a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience.
An unfavorable opinion, attitude, or feeling made about something or someone before having enough information to make an accurate judgment (“Merriam-Webster”, 2013). Therapists are encouraged to evaluate their own personal prejudices and biases and work through them, opposed to ignoring them as if they do not exist
Privilege
Privilege is a right or benefit that is given to some people and not to others, a special advantage. The ideology of white supremacy in society causes disscrimatory practices. Sue believes, as long as “white America” decides what is normal and abnormal in society a hierarchy among the group will exist (2013).
Contemporary Issues
Implications of a Diverse Society The future effects of a more diverse society would be a multidimensional culture. All members of society would feel a sense of inclusivism. Every member of society could be proud of their culture and heritage and not feel ostracized by the majority, groups could welcome differences and embrace change. With diversity come new experiences and new opportunities to learn from one
another.
Effects of Discrimination The effects of discrimination are detrimental to our society. People’s differences will continue to be feared and disharmony in society will continue to be exploited. Hatred and bigotry will run through our cities causing continued bloodshed and the loss of innocent lives.
Availability of Services Services that serve minorities in our society are stepping stones that launch them to greatness. Programs such as head start and affirmative action should continue to be supported. Many people criticize these programs, believing they offer unfair advantages to minorities. I feel as a member of a minority group head start and affirmative action does not give an advantage, but a level playing field. Without head start many low-income minority children would not be able to attend pre-school, therefore would be disadvantaged educationally entering kindergarten. Also without affirmative action many minority students would have missed out on exceptional college experiences and job opportunities.
Cultural and Linguistic Standards for Services
Cultural and linguistic standards are extremely important in organizations. Organizations are structured entities where vast arrays of services are performed. Organizations employ people who are qualified to perform needed task, bilingual candidates are not always readily available, and therefore jobs remain vacant because many of the people pursuing services cannot speak English. I believe people who acquire to benefit from services of social organizations should take appropriate steps to learn the national language. Every situation is not ideal but standards must be put in place so everyone can thrive.
Conclusion
Learning from the past has always been a gateway to a promising future. Counseling diverse cultures opens the eyes of the professional therapist to their own biases, and provides innovative ways of reaching a broader clientele. Learning from the past, working in the present, and reaching to the future will ensure that multicultural counseling therapy will continue to be a driving force in the counseling profession.
References
Merriam-Webster. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.Merriam-Webster.com.
Sue, D.W. (2013). Counseling the Culturally Diverse:Theory and Practice (6th ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database.
Multi-Cultural Issues in Mental Health Counseling
November 18, 2013
Examing the Current State of the Profession
“Multicultural counseling/therapy means understanding the worldviews and life experiences of diverse groups in our nation” (Sue, 2013, p.89). Understanding people’s attitudes and past experiences shape who they are as individuals. The true beauty of our society is the ability to encounter all walks of life and learn from each other, rather than fear one another. Counselors see firsthand culturally diverse clients and must take into consideration their beliefs and attitudes and give the most effective care.
Significant Historical Changes that Influenced Cultural …show more content…
Counseling
Education
The education of counselors and therapist are derived from a Euro-American perspective. The curriculum and matriculation through programs of higher learning are based on Euro-American experiences. Because of the vast changes in the diverse population counselors have become culturally competent. They do not just take into account educational training, but incorporate the understanding of worldviews by their diverse clientele. According to D.W. Sue counselors do not have to experience the diversity of their clients, but can understand their views without judgment (2013).
Therapeutic Treatment and Training Therapeutic treatment and training has also historically changed in cultural counseling.
The concept of one approach for all clients has been drastically challenged. Marginalized members of society are skeptical of formalized processes of therapy. Because of cultural differences therapist must use different approaches to yield positive results, “talk-therapy” and self-disclosure are not always conducive to different minority groups. Traditional therapy settings have also been reevaluated while treating the culturally diverse. Counselors have left the comfort of their office of couches and flush chairs to reach the diverse in more comfortable setting such as their homes and …show more content…
communities.
Changes in Worldview, Culture, Ethnicity, Prejudice, and Privilege
Worldview
Worldview is defined as how you see the world around you (“Merriam-Webster”, 2013). Therapists no longer only see the world through the eyes of Euro-American, but can now look also through the eyes of the minority.
Culture
The cumulative deposit of knowledge, experience, and beliefs, culture is the system of knowledge shared by a relatively large group of people (“Merriam-Webster”, 2013). Clients cultural backgrounds are taken into account during therapy, some processes that are widely accepted in American culture are deemed disrespectful in other cultures.
Ethnicity
Ethnicity is ethnic character, background, or affiliation, an ethnic group (“Merriam-Webster”, 2013). All ethnic groups are included and welcomed in therapy.
Prejudice
Prejudice is a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience.
An unfavorable opinion, attitude, or feeling made about something or someone before having enough information to make an accurate judgment (“Merriam-Webster”, 2013). Therapists are encouraged to evaluate their own personal prejudices and biases and work through them, opposed to ignoring them as if they do not exist
Privilege
Privilege is a right or benefit that is given to some people and not to others, a special advantage. The ideology of white supremacy in society causes disscrimatory practices. Sue believes, as long as “white America” decides what is normal and abnormal in society a hierarchy among the group will exist (2013).
Contemporary Issues
Implications of a Diverse Society The future effects of a more diverse society would be a multidimensional culture. All members of society would feel a sense of inclusivism. Every member of society could be proud of their culture and heritage and not feel ostracized by the majority, groups could welcome differences and embrace change. With diversity come new experiences and new opportunities to learn from one
another.
Effects of Discrimination The effects of discrimination are detrimental to our society. People’s differences will continue to be feared and disharmony in society will continue to be exploited. Hatred and bigotry will run through our cities causing continued bloodshed and the loss of innocent lives.
Availability of Services Services that serve minorities in our society are stepping stones that launch them to greatness. Programs such as head start and affirmative action should continue to be supported. Many people criticize these programs, believing they offer unfair advantages to minorities. I feel as a member of a minority group head start and affirmative action does not give an advantage, but a level playing field. Without head start many low-income minority children would not be able to attend pre-school, therefore would be disadvantaged educationally entering kindergarten. Also without affirmative action many minority students would have missed out on exceptional college experiences and job opportunities.
Cultural and Linguistic Standards for Services
Cultural and linguistic standards are extremely important in organizations. Organizations are structured entities where vast arrays of services are performed. Organizations employ people who are qualified to perform needed task, bilingual candidates are not always readily available, and therefore jobs remain vacant because many of the people pursuing services cannot speak English. I believe people who acquire to benefit from services of social organizations should take appropriate steps to learn the national language. Every situation is not ideal but standards must be put in place so everyone can thrive.
Conclusion
Learning from the past has always been a gateway to a promising future. Counseling diverse cultures opens the eyes of the professional therapist to their own biases, and provides innovative ways of reaching a broader clientele. Learning from the past, working in the present, and reaching to the future will ensure that multicultural counseling therapy will continue to be a driving force in the counseling profession.
References
Merriam-Webster. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.Merriam-Webster.com.
Sue, D.W. (2013). Counseling the Culturally Diverse:Theory and Practice (6th ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database.