jamie acker due tomorrow
Rose discussion:
In order for counselors to effectively assist clients who are of a different cultural or religious background then their own, it is required that they become multiculturally competent. In highlighting the importance of being multiculturally competent, Hays and Erford (2014) explained that shifts in demographics, and an increased diversity in the counseling profession lead to the thought that multicultural competence was a necessary precursor to general competence for counselors (Hays & Erford, 2014, p. 21). This resulted in an increased focus on multicultural issues in general and multicultural competencies more specifically in counselor training, research, and practice (Hays & Erford, 2014, p. 21).
Response
According to Hays and Erford (2014) a culturally competent counselor is defined as one who has self-awareness of values and biases, understands client worldviews, and intervenes in a culturally appropriate manner (Hays & Erford, 2014, p. 21). The authors added that these standards were developed to primarily address racial and ethnic factors, the intersection with other cultural identities, such as gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and spirituality, is increasingly being addressed (Hays & Erford, 2014, p. 21).
Hays and Erford (2014) explained that there are three overarching multicultural counseling competence (MCC) dimensions with corresponding competencies, objectives related to counselor attitudes and beliefs, knowledge, and skills. According to the authors, they are as follows:
I. Counselor Awareness of Own Cultural Values and Biases Attitudes and Beliefs: Counselors are aware of themselves and their clients as cultural beings and appreciate these cultural differences. They also understand how their cultural backgrounds affect the counseling process (Hays & Erford, 2014, p. 22).
II. Counselor Awareness of Client’s Worldview Attitudes and Beliefs: Counselors are aware of how stereotypes and other negative reactions they hold about minority clients affect the counseling relationship, process, and outcome (Hays & Erford, 2014, p. 22).
III. Culturally Appropriate Intervention Strategies Attitudes and Beliefs: Counselors identify and respect community-specific values (e.g., spiritual beliefs), and actively integrate them into counseling interventions. Skills: Counselors engage in both verbal and nonverbal helping responses that are congruent with the helping style of their clients. During helping, counselors understand and articulate expectations and limitations of counseling assessments and interventions (e.g., language match, spiritual leadership) (Hays & Erford, 2014, p. 22).
Biblical World View
There are several Scriptures that emphasize the importance of seeking effective counsel. The bible verse I chose, discusses the impact of good counsel and is found in the Proverbs 12 verse 15, which reads, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counselis wise” (Proverbs 12:15, NKJV).
The verse mentioned above I believe, highlights the significance of effective counseling. A counselor is not using their Christian faith effectively if they challenge the religious beliefs or moral values of clients. In the article titled Interventions that apply Scripture in psychotherapy, Garzon (2005) discussed a multitude of ways in which counselors can use Scripture that are not overtly religious. However, he added, that counselors have to respect for the client’s autonomy, they also have to mindful of the client’s religious and spiritual beliefs, and lastly, they must be flexible and responsive to the client’s religious and spiritual beliefs (Garzon, 2005, p. 115).
References
Hays, D. G., & Erford, B. T. (2014). Developing multicultural counseling competence: A systems approach (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Garzon, F. (2005). Interventions that apply Scripture in psychotherapy. Journal of sychology and Theology, 33(2), 113-121.
Patrice discussion:
According to (Hays & Erford 2014 p.20), “there are four reasons offered in the Culture and Counseling Process section for why diverse clients tend to terminate or avoid counseling services (Hays & Erford 2014 p.20).” The first reason would be that the values of counseling may not be congruent with the values of various cultural groups. This reason, for example, means that counseling values mirror dominant U.S. values of individualism and autonomy, minimizing the historical and family values in other cultures. The second reason would be that culturally diverse clients may perceive counseling to be a stigmatizing process because some cultures may view mental illness as something to be discussed only within a specific community. This reason, for example, means that many cultural groups rely on family members, community leaders, and spiritual leaders to provide them with help and the necessary resources to assist them in these matters. The third reason would be that culturally diverse clients are often mistrustful of counselors, who tend to be predominantly White, because of historical racist, sexist, classist, and heterosexual undertones in counseling. This reason, for example, means that counselors may overdiagnose, underdiagnose, or misdiagnose culturally diverse clients’ problems because of prejudice. The fourth reason would be that mental health services ten to be inaccessible to culturally diverse clients. This reason, for example, means that counseling may be unavailable for non-English speaking clients. There is also a lack of mental health care services for people of color and lower socioeconomic status.
In order for counselors to mitigate these factors and encourage these individuals to trust the counseling process, they should be self-aware, multiculturally competent, and understand how various forms of oppression influence counseling. Counselors should also examine their beliefs and attitudes regarding other cultures, and employ culturally appropriate assessments and interventions. There are several ways to get clients to become trustworthy of the counseling process. One way would be to become multiculturally competent by meeting clients where they are and knocking down barriers created by their own cultural biases. Another way for counselors, would be to being committed to being proactive in consulting with others when a process of counseling becomes unfamiliar. Counselors have the opportunity to evolve in various populations and help diverse clients, but they must be willing to respect diverse clients and facilitate the skills necessary to working with diverse clients in a positive manner. A scripture from Galatians 3:28 (English Standard Version) states, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus Galatians 3:28 (ESV).” Counselors are to be mindful of various demographics and be respectful for clients to entrust them.
Reference
Hays, D. G., & Erford, B. T. (2014). Developing multicultural counseling competence: A systems approach (2nd Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
