Chapter 4: Counseling in a Multicultural Society

Culture

any group of people who identify or associate with one another on the basis of some common purpose, need, or similarity of background"
-management, organizations. Culture can make or break your experience.

Multiculturalism

has no distinct definition, but the most prominent foci are distinct group uniqueness and concepts that facilitate attention to individual differences

Muticultural Counseling

counseling in which the counselor and client differ. There are two perspectives

2 perspectives of Multicultural counseling

Etic Perspective and Emic Perspective

Etic Perspective

stating universal qualities exist in counseling that are culturally generalizable
-The counselor approach is applicable to the majority of people

Emic Perspective*

assumes counseling approaches must be designed to be culturally specific
-the counselor takes into account different cultural backgrounds
-you treat teens different than elders
-you have to either educate yourself or hand them off to a different counselor

Development of Canadian Society

-Aboriginal
-Charter groups
-Racial/ethnic minorities

Focus of Multicultural Counselling

Emphasis on client (1950s), to
Emphasis on counselor (1960s), to
The total counseling process (1970s - present)

Culturally Encapsulated Counselor

one who disregards cultural differences and works under the mistaken assumption that theories and techniques are equally applicable to all people"
Etic Perspective

Multicultural Competence

the extent to which counselors possess appropriate levels of self-awareness, knowledge, and skills in working with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds
Emic Perspective

Overculturalizing

mistaking people's reactions to poverty and discrimination for their cultural pattern"
-people of different ethnicities struggle with poverty and homelessness but we can't automatically assume that it is part of their culture
-connect different communiti

Language Patterns

contribute to overculturalizing, as counselors outside the client's own culture may misunderstand verbal utterances or nonverbal behaviors of the client.
-familiarize yourself with nonverbal and verbal cues

Racism

prejudice displayed in blatant or subtle ways due to recognized or perceived differences in the physical and psychological backgrounds of people

Acculturation

the process by which a group of people give up old ways and adopt new ones
-immigrants who come to Canada

Impact of Acculturation on the client

psychological stress, guilt, apathy, depression, delinquency, resentment, disorientation, poor self esteem

3 Areas that counselors must be culturally sensitive to

1)Knowledge
2)Awareness- of your own worldview and how ones a product of cultural conditioning
3)Skills

Canadian Core competencies

1)Cultural Self Awareness
2)Awareness of Client Cultural identities
3)Culturally sensitive Working Alliance

Competency Model

1, 2, 3, and Social Justice

Cultural -Infused Counselling Competence

the integration of attitudes and beliefs, knowledge, and skills, essential for awareness of the impact of culture on personal assumptions, values, and beliefs, understanding of the worldview of the client, coming to agreement on goals and tasks in the co

5 guidelines for effectively counseling across cultures

1 Counselors recognize the values and beliefs they hold in regard to acceptable and desirable human behavior, and integrate this understanding into appropriate feelings and behaviors.
2. Counselors are aware of the cultural and generic qualities of counse

Cultural Bias

the tendency to think one's own culture is superior to others. This can be present in majority and minority counselors.
*self awareness

Counseling considerations with specific cultural groups

-must remain themselves
-There are more within group differences than between group differences in counseling people from specific cultural traditions-- categorizing people ***

What approaches work on European Canadians

- gravitate toward rational or logical methods in understanding themselves and others (i.e. cognitive, cognitive-behavioral approaches)

Aboriginal Canadians

-consists of status/nonstatus, Metis, Inuit
-Residential schools
-made to assimilate into mainstream culture
-high suicide, alcoholism, and unemployment rates
-high levels of domestic and physical violence
-high rates of involvement with child welfare and

Approaches with Aboriginal Canadians

-need to develop self understanding,
-understanding aboriginal realities
-being flexible in structuring counseling
-build connects with clients
-Aboriginal humor
-venting anger
-use creativity/talking circles
-be a learner

14 Aboriginal Traditions

The medicine wheel, four powers, ceremonies, elders, prayers, pipes and pipe ceremonies, fasting, sweat lodges, feasting, rattles, drums, eagle whit els, herbs/incense, medicine pouches

Traditions; Medicine Wheel

every seeker can find a harmonious way of living with their environment.

Traditions; The Four Powers

4 natural forces
North- Wisdom
South- Warmth & Growth
West- Introspection
East- Englightenment

Traditions; Ceremonies and elders

religious expression passed down from elders
older individuals with gifts of wisdom, healing, and dream interpretation

Traditions: Pipes and pipe ceremonies

pipe belongs to the community and is use for prayers, sacred ceremony
whoever holds pipes can speak.

Traditions: Sweat Lodges

Communal prayer, spiritual healing, purification, and fasting

Traditions: Rattles

shake to summon a spirit for spiritual/physical purpose

Traditions: Drums

Signifies the heart beat of the group/pulse of the universe.

Traditions: Eagle Whistles

When the whistle is blown the drunk group begins an appropriate song

4 sacred plans of Herbs and incense tradition

sweetgrass, sage, cedar, and tobacco.

South Asian Canadians

-4% of population
-East Indians (74%), Pakistani, Sri LAnkan, Punajbi, and Tamil
-Religions: Muslim, hindu, and Sikh

Approaches with South Asian Canadians

-rigid gender roles= stress on high acculturation on women.
-high demands on labor inside and outside the home causing anxiety, depression, and loneliness
-less likely to seek help - how they regard their issues make them less likely to seek a counselor
-

Acculturation Stresses of South Asian Canadians

discuss values, beliefs/behaviours that characterize their culture and host culture - what does/doesn't fit and what is ambivalent

Techniques counselor's use on South Asian Canadians

CBT, solution focused, gestalt methods, reframing, parent education, speed of counseling may cause termination of counseling

Southeast Asian Canadians

Chinese, japanese, filipinos, indochinese, indians, and koreans
-hardworking and successful
-not prone to emotional disturbances
-less likely to seek counseling
-communication is indirect
-strong control over emotions

Approaches with Southeast Asian Canadians

-psychological distress/disorders through a religious framework
-somatic complains
-career counseling- self interest +deference
-collectivist culture
-promotion of self disclosure

Approaches: Healing

invoking the help of supernatural power or restoring the sufferer to a state of well-being through prescribing right conduct and belief

Approaches with African Canadians

-identity expectations
-racial identity-impact of discrimination on client
-establish egalitarian r/s- equal status
-focus on pragmatics- practical education vs. feelings
-focus on strengths and context- person in environment
-spiritual ressources
-buildi

Approaches with Latino Canadians

-reluctant to seek counseling- cultural traditions (pride) and heritage
-accessibility of services- often living in poverty
-expectations of counselors
-Filial Therapy
-counselor should be bilingual.

Approaches with Arab Canadians

-delineation of gender roles
-awareness of patriarchal patterns
-emphasis on important of honor and shame
-acccess groups for support