Week 11 Discussion

Week 11 Discussion-Main Post

Multicultural and Diversity

The one strength that I have in working with multicultural and diverse couples and families is based on my experiences from previous jobs, my job now, and from family and friends. Growing up I have always had friends that were unlike me, friends whose culture, ethnicity, and religion were different from mine. However, their differences is what made our friendship stronger and that much better. For me it was fun to learn about their culture or their religion, and they learn from mine. Part of growing is accepting the difference of others and learning from them. My job has afforded me the opportunity to work with a diverse population. Some of the youth that I work with are from an economically strained environment, and are on various medications to treat everything from ADHD to PTSD. However, it is important to treat these children as normal as possible and not have preconceived notions about them or their behaviors. It is important to understand the diverse cultures that I encounter on a daily basis, for example, there are some cultures where individuals do not shake hands or make eye contact when they talk. It is important to realize that this is not a sign of disrespect. Also, my cousin who is in a same sex relationship has come to me for help and advice on issues that she has faced based on her sexuality. It is really hard to see anyone, especially someone you love be faced with prejudices and discrimination because she chooses to date someone of the same sex.

The one limitation I see me having is my lack of knowledge when it comes to certain cultures. I know how important it is to learn as much as possible regarding as many cultures as possible. Gladding (2015) states that “many cultures are open to people of various backgrounds who identify with them and act in accordance with their traditions and values.” Because it is impossible to become an expert in all cultures, it is important to obtain more common skills to work with culturally diverse couples and families (Gladding, 2015). The important thing is to not get offended or flustered, especially when you do not know particular things about that culture.

The one competency that I might need to enhance to be culturally competent as a MCFC is that of inventiveness. There are some cultures that may not be comfortable within the confines of an office, so as a MCFC, it is important to reach every client and the best way to do that is by them being comfortable in their surroundings. Sessions with clients could be held anywhere from local churches to neighborhood parks. According to Gladding (2015) “therapist may act in conjunction with and in direct and open collaboration with these sources in treating a family in context or working to engage family members, especially men, in programs like marriage enrichment. How sessions are held will depend on the culture of the client.

One method of gaining these competency skills is through understanding how different cultures view counseling. By understanding their views, it will help me as a counselor to develop a strategy that is best suited for the particular client. Another method is to get as much information from the client before any counseling sessions. By understanding the client and being well informed will make the process go smoother and will also assists in the counseling plan.

Reference

Gladdings, S. T. (2015). Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice. (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson