"culture is a fundamental component of human experience. no human can be fully understood unless purposeful inquiry and consideration of their culture is undertaken."
- Arthur & Collins, 2010
As we move towards a more heterogeneous society, diversity is an integral part of our national make-up. Central to multicultural counselling is the need to understand what is meant by the terms "multiculturalism" and "diversity". In current literature, multiculturalism and diversity capture a broad range of meaning including:
CULTURE
ETHNICITY
SEXUAL ORIENTATION
AGE
ABILITY
GENDER
SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS
RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY, ETC...
ETHNICITY
SEXUAL ORIENTATION
AGE
ABILITY
GENDER
SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS
RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY, ETC...
My encompassing view of multiculturalism and diversity sees every individual as a cultural being. I believe that we all create identities, and experience challenges, based on our individual cultural mosaic.
Therefore, counsellors must incorporate cultural considerations into all aspects of their work. Culturally sensitive practice involves a consideration of the client's cultural identity and social location. Special attention must be given to those clients who identify with non-dominant populations as they are challenged to navigate through a society whose norms are based on the dominant population.
Therefore, counsellors must incorporate cultural considerations into all aspects of their work. Culturally sensitive practice involves a consideration of the client's cultural identity and social location. Special attention must be given to those clients who identify with non-dominant populations as they are challenged to navigate through a society whose norms are based on the dominant population.
Core Competencies (Arthur & Collins, 2010)
Cultural Self-Awareness: Active awareness of personal assumptions, values, and biases
- demonstrate awareness of your own cultural identities
- demonstrate awareness of differences between your own cultural identities and those of individuals from other dominant or non-dominant groups
- demonstrate an awareness of the impact of culture on the theory and practice of counsellling
- demonstrate an awareness of the personal and professional impact of the discrepancy between dominant and non-dominant cultural groups in Canada
- demonstrate an awareness of your level of multicultural competence
Excerpt from paper written for EDPS 624 - Cultural & Social Justice Issues in Professional Practice:
"...me at week one, clearly ethnocentric and encapsulated in my own cultural identity. Little did I know I actually had a cultural identity. Until now, I saw myself as relatively "cultureless", as just a white, Canadian woman living a life without much cultural influence. I then encountered an assignment and began pondering a quote from the instructions that read, "[the] tendency for many of us is to take these factors for granted and leave them largely unexamined" (EDPS 624, Lesson 2, Exercise 1, p. 1). As I scribbled down personal identity factors, cultural, contextual and universal factors, I began to see that I really did have a cultural identity and unbeknownst to me had begun to develop a core competency in multicultural competency - cultural self-awareness and an awareness of my own cultural identities."
"...me at week one, clearly ethnocentric and encapsulated in my own cultural identity. Little did I know I actually had a cultural identity. Until now, I saw myself as relatively "cultureless", as just a white, Canadian woman living a life without much cultural influence. I then encountered an assignment and began pondering a quote from the instructions that read, "[the] tendency for many of us is to take these factors for granted and leave them largely unexamined" (EDPS 624, Lesson 2, Exercise 1, p. 1). As I scribbled down personal identity factors, cultural, contextual and universal factors, I began to see that I really did have a cultural identity and unbeknownst to me had begun to develop a core competency in multicultural competency - cultural self-awareness and an awareness of my own cultural identities."
Awareness of Client Cultural Identities: Understanding the worldview of the client
- demonstrate awareness of the cultural identities of you clients
- demonstrate awareness of the relationship of personal culture to health and well-being
- demonstrate awareness of the socio-political influences that impinge on the lives of non-dominant populations
Excerpt from paper written for EDPS 624 - Cultural & Social Justice Issues in Professional Practice:
"Studying the construction of worldview, and considering my own, revealed my inclination to evaluate others based on my culturally induced values and beliefs. Equally important, I realized that others view me through their cultural lens as well - indeed every interaction is culturally infused. Gaining knowledge and considering the perspectives and issues faced by individuals, both dominant and non-dominant, helped me see that my sense of "normal" was completely culturally influenced."
Culturally Sensitive Working Alliances
- establish trusting and respectful relationships with clients that take into account cultural identities
- collaborate with clients to establish counselling goals that are responsive to salient dimensions of cultural identity
Excerpt from paper written for EDPS 624 - Cultural & Social Justice Issues in Professional Practice:
"...my awareness of worldviews is helping me be more flexible in my interpretation of a client's problems and the goals for therapy...When I began to consciously acknowledge worldview, I was able to validate my client's thinking and offer more congruent support and guidance."
To view my paper, "Expanding Personal Worldview" in its entirety, please click the button below
theoretical approaches & Multiculuralism: strengths & limitations
(adapted from Corey, 2009)
Cognitive Behavioural Approach
Strengths
Person-Centered Approach
Strengths
Feminist/Systems Approach
Strengths
|
Limitations
Limitations
Limitations
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Learning poster - EDPS 624: cULTURE & SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES
References:
Arthur, N. & Collins, S. (2010). Introduction to culture-infused counselling. In N. Arthur, & S. Collins (Eds.), Culture-Infused Counselling (pp. 3-25). Calgary, AB: Counselling Concepts.
Corey, G. (2009). Student Manual for Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.
Arthur, N. & Collins, S. (2010). Introduction to culture-infused counselling. In N. Arthur, & S. Collins (Eds.), Culture-Infused Counselling (pp. 3-25). Calgary, AB: Counselling Concepts.
Corey, G. (2009). Student Manual for Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.