Multicultural Counseling
Running Head: MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING WITH HISPANIC FAMILIES
Multicultural Counseling Success with Hispanic Families
Dawn With
Artz University
Mike Smith, Ph.D.
December 16, 2009
Abstract There are many characteristics and commonalities among immigrants coming into the United States such as language, values, tradition, religion, and culture. They come to the United States from many different countries and yet American culture puts them into one large melting pot and calls them Latino or Hispanic without understanding their heritage or background. The individuals arriving in America from different cultures take different approaches to adjusting and adapting to American society. This paper will create awareness as to the challenges that the Hispanic population experiences living amongst a dominant American culture. There are important roles mental health professionals can play in regard to social justice and speaking out for culturally diverse families in the United States. This paper will explore the statistics surrounding the Hispanic population in the United States, Hispanic values, culture and traditions, family roles, religious influences, acculturation topics, educational challenges, the counseling process and language issues, counselor responsibilities and overcoming barriers, and psychotherapeutic approaches for multicultural counseling.
The importance to provide psychotherapy effectively with culturally diverse populations is increasing more every year as the demographics are changing dramatically in the United States. In 2006, Hispanic Americans were estimated at “44.3 million, which is 14.8 percent of total population of 299 million” in the United States. In 2010 it is estimated to increase to “47.8 million and 102.6 million by 2050.” (U.S. Census Bureau, 2006) In January 2006, unauthorized immigrants were estimated at “11.6 million with 6.6 million.” (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2006) Hispanic families move
Multicultural Counseling Success with Hispanic Families
Dawn With
Artz University
Mike Smith, Ph.D.
December 16, 2009
Abstract There are many characteristics and commonalities among immigrants coming into the United States such as language, values, tradition, religion, and culture. They come to the United States from many different countries and yet American culture puts them into one large melting pot and calls them Latino or Hispanic without understanding their heritage or background. The individuals arriving in America from different cultures take different approaches to adjusting and adapting to American society. This paper will create awareness as to the challenges that the Hispanic population experiences living amongst a dominant American culture. There are important roles mental health professionals can play in regard to social justice and speaking out for culturally diverse families in the United States. This paper will explore the statistics surrounding the Hispanic population in the United States, Hispanic values, culture and traditions, family roles, religious influences, acculturation topics, educational challenges, the counseling process and language issues, counselor responsibilities and overcoming barriers, and psychotherapeutic approaches for multicultural counseling.
The importance to provide psychotherapy effectively with culturally diverse populations is increasing more every year as the demographics are changing dramatically in the United States. In 2006, Hispanic Americans were estimated at “44.3 million, which is 14.8 percent of total population of 299 million” in the United States. In 2010 it is estimated to increase to “47.8 million and 102.6 million by 2050.” (U.S. Census Bureau, 2006) In January 2006, unauthorized immigrants were estimated at “11.6 million with 6.6 million.” (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2006) Hispanic families move
References: American Counseling Association. (2009). Retrieved on December 9, 2009 from www.aca.org. Corey, G. (2009). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy. 8th Edition. Thomson Higher Education. Belmont, CA. Day-Vines, N., Wood, S., Grothaus, T., Craigen, L., Holman, A., Dotson-Blake, K., Douglass, M. (2007). Broaching the Subjects of Race, Ethnicity, and Culture During the Counseling Process. Journal of Counseling & Development. American Counseling Association. Fall 2007. Vol. 85, pp. 401-409. Malott, K. (2009). Investigation of Ethnic Self-Labeling in the Latina Population: Implications for Counselors and Counselor Educators. Journal of Counseling & Development. American Counseling Association. Spring 2009. Vol. 87, pp. 179-185. Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (2009). Retrieved on December 13 from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary. Pew Hispanic Center. (2007). Changing Faiths: Latinos and the Transformation of American Religion. Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. Pew Research Center. United States Census Bureau. (2006). Hispanics in the United States. Ethnicity and Ancestry Branch Population Division. U.S. Census Bureau. United States Department of Homeland Security. (2007). Estimates of the Unauthorized Immigrant Population Residing in the United States: January 2006. United States Department of Homeland Security. Office of Immigration Statistics.