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Theories of Counseling:

Multicultural Counseling

“Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”



Theory of multicultural counselling

and therapy (MCT) Sue et al (1996) propose a theory of multicultural counseling and

therapy (MCT). This is considered necessary because of the

inadequacies of current theories informing current counsellingpractice. These theories operate from both explicit and implicit

assumptions that guide their practical application, and so an

`assumption audit' is presented as the starting point for the authors

developing MCT as an essential starting point for understanding this

new theory.



Underlying Assumptions:

Current theories of counselling and psychotherapy inadequately describe, explain,

predict and deal with current cultural diversity.

Culture is complex but not chaotic.

Diversification is occurring at such a rapid pace that mental-health professionals

will increasingly come into contact with clients or client groups who differ from

them racially, culturally and ethnically.

Mental-health professionals are not adequately prepared to engage in multicultural

practice.

The traditional training models of professional schools contribute toencapsulation.

A major paradigm shift is in process.

Multiculturalism provides a fourth dimension to the three traditional helping

orientations (psychodynamic, existential-humanistic and cognitive).



continue A culture-centred metatheory is viable.All learning occurs and identities are

formed in a cultural context.

Cultural identity is dynamic and changing.

Unintentional racism is as serious as intentional racism.

Multicultural training increased a counsellor's repertoire of skills and

perspectives.

Informal as well as formal counselling is important in many cultural contexts.

Culture should be defined inclusively and broadly rather than narrowly.

Understanding the cultural and sociopolitical context of a client's behaviour is

essential to accurate assessment, interpretation and treatment. An adequate research methodology for incorporating culture must include both

qualitative and quantitative elements.

Increased self-awareness is an essential starting point in developing multicultural

competence.



What is multicultural counselling? A broad definition of the term 'multiculturalism' embraces a wide range of social

variables or differences. For example:

gender,

sexual preference,

disability,

social class,

age,

religion, ethnicity.



continue Pederson (1994) proposed a broad definition of multicultural counselling which

includes:

'ethnographic variables such as ethnicity, nationality, religion and language;

demographic variables such as age, gender and place of residence; status variables

such as social, educational and economic; and affiliations including both formal

affiliations to family or organizations and informal affiliations to ideas and a

lifestyle' (p229).



continue Ivey et al. (1997, p134) describe multicultural counselling as a 'metatheoretical

approach that recognises that all helping methods ultimately exist within a cultural

context'. They go on to argue that multiculturalism:

starts with awareness of differences among and within clients;

stresses the importance of family and cultural factors affecting the way clients

view the world;

challenges practitioners, theoreticians and researchers to rethink the meaning of

counselling, and pay attention to family and cultural concerns.



Implications for practice

Increasing self-awareness

Many writers in the area of multicultural counselling advocate the need for all

practitioners to start on a continual process of multicultural self-awareness.

The first task is to think about yourself;

the second to identify the values of the dominant culture in which you practise

counselling or communication;

the third is to examine alternative value orientations.



continueDeveloping knowledge and understanding

An exercise which can be used to gain knowledge and understanding of

difference is a role play exercise adapted from a conference workshop run by

Jackson (1995). The exercise requires a training group of three people,approximately two hours when these three people can work together on this

exercise, a suitable room and some individual research time. Jackson identified

two main purposes of the exercise:

First, to develop empathic understanding by enabling you to attempt to discover

what it might feel like to be a person who comes from a different background.

Second, to enable you to begin to identify some practice guidelines that

counsellors might follow to enhance their effectiveness with clients who are

different from them-selves.



continueSkills for multicultural competence In addition to working towards a greater cultural self-awareness and developing

your knowledge and understanding of client difference, practitioners need to think about the way in which their skills should to be adapted or changed to

accommodate the particular needs of certain client groups.

Ivey et al. (1997) and Ivey (1994) suggest that culturally appropriate nonverbal

behaviour is crucial to successful counselling outcomes. Ivey (1994, p75)

advocates that all practising counsellors 'begin a lifetime of study of nonverbalcommunication patterns and their variations'. Various categories of nonverbal

behaviour are identified and some cultural implications for each category (e.g. eye

contact, posture, touching, vocal tracking) are discussed (Ivey, 1994, p29).



continue Non-verbal communication provides one example of skill that can be easily

examined for bias and modified. An effective method of enhancing your

competence in this area is practising with a friend or trusted colleague.

Select various combinations of non verbal communication (for example, eyecontact, posture and hand gestures.

Try to demonstrate effective listening without using the non verbal behaviour that

you would normally use in your counselling or communication. (For example, if

you normally try to sustain eye contact, you could try communicating without eye

contact , look away or down at the floor). How did you feel? Ask the other personhow they felt.




Multicultural Counseling and Theory (MCT)

All helping methods exist within a cultural context.

MCT recognizes the differences among and within clients.

Looks at how family and cultural factors affect one’s worldview.

MCT came from the recognition that many theories were empiricallyvalidated on white middle-class males and therefore may not work as wellwith people who are from other diverse groups.





Multicultural Counseling and Theory (MCT)

Therapists strive to liberate clients from personal, social and economicoppression.

Clients are liberated from self-blame and shown how their problems oftenexist in a social context.

Independence is basic to philosophy and action in MCT.




Multicultural CounselingApproaches to Multicultural Counseling and Theory (MCT)

The Universal Approach :

Culture is define in a broad, inclusive and universal way. Teaches about the danger of stereotyping.

Emphasizes the importance of language and loyalty to one’s own culturalgroup.

Provides information about acculturation and oppression.

Discusses the importance of gender roles.

Facilitates identity development.

Builds self-esteem and awareness.

Facilitates understanding of worldview.




Multicultural CounselingApproaches to Multicultural Counseling and Theory (MCT)

The Focused Culture-Specific Approach :

The counselor examines his or her own racial beliefs and attitudes.

Discusses racially relevant topics and is willing to work on issues ofoppression.

The counselor views clients on two levels: Individual and as members of agroup.




Multicultural CounselingMulticultural Counseling and Theory (MCT) as Metatheory

MCT recognizes culture as an internalized, subjective perspective formed

against a backdrop of contrasting cultural backgrounds.

Points out the importance in seeing the individual in context.

It is concerned with cultural intentionality.

Traditional theories are modified in ways that show respect for humandiversity.




Multicultural CounselingThe Microskill of Focusing and MCT

An individually balanced focus among individual, family and cultural

expectations is needed when counseling clients from various cultures.

A significant part of any session needs to address the issues of significantothers, and cultural, environmental and contextual issues.

Self-in relation to, connectedness, relationship and interdependence all

need to be considered.




Multicultural CounselingThe Integrative Life Pattern Model

This is a decisional counseling model that raises a person’s awareness of

multicultural issues.

A lifelong pattern of identifying our primary needs, roles and goals andintegrating these within ourselves, our work and our family.

Clients make decisions about their total development: Physical,intellectual, social/emotional, vocational, sexual etc.

Four major life roles: Loving, learning, labor and leisure.




Multicultural CounselingCultural Identity Development Theory

This is a cognitive, emotional and behavioral progression through stages

of awareness and involves different attitudes towards oneself at thedifferent stages.

Generally the stages are:

Awareness of self as a cultural being.

Encounter with cultural issues. Naming of these cultural issues.

Reflection on the meaning of self as a cultural being.

Internalization about self-in-system.




Multicultural CounselingConstructing Culturally Appropriate Techniques and Strategies

Implies a nonhierarchical relationship between counselor and client.

Counselors modify their techniques and strategies to fit the client ratherthan making the client fit the therapy.

Takes into consideration that what may be appropriate for one client in

one cultural context may be inappropriate for another client in anothercultural context.




Multicultural CounselingMCT Practice and Multiple Helping Roles

Network Therapy:

Integrates community relationships and community into family therapy.

Can include the nuclear family, extended family, important neighbors, andkey figures from the community (priest, teacher, the police etc.)

One focus is to help the client build meaningful community andinterpersonal relationships to foster positive mental well-being.




Multicultural CounselingPoints to Remember with Network Therapy

Don’t expect to do it all yourself. Network therapy utilizes a treatment team.

Use multiple theoretical approaches. Different theories may be beneficial atdifferent times with the same client.

Consider the value of network treatment for all clients. People do not live invacuums and their issues or problems affect others around them.




Multicultural CounselingFamily Therapy and Multicultural Issues

The multicultural treatment of choice is often family therapy.

Family is defined culturally and the roles, relationships and rules can bedifferent among and between cultures.

Cultural expectations play a role in every family and group experience.

A significant component of our self-concept is derived from our ethnicheritage.

Ethnic heritage also can shape our attitudes and beliefs.




Multicultural CounselingTraditional Healing

Usually based on the epistemology and belief system of the culture.

Counselors may sometimes need to work with traditional healers (e.g. amedicine man) in order to best serve the client.

Traditional healers have always included family and the larger communityin treatment. As Western theories begin to do so also, these two

approaches are becoming closer.

It is important not to adopt traditional practices without first consultingwith the host culture to show the proper respect for their traditions.




Multicultural CounselingMulticultural Respect

Religion/Spirituality Economic Class

Sexuality Identity Psychological MaturityEthnic/Racial Identity Chronological Challenges

Trauma Family History

Language Unique Psychical Characteristics

Location of Residence

Identify your own level of cultural identity in relationship to each of theabove concepts.




Multicultural CounselingThe Foundational Concepts of Empathy and Multicultural

Competence

Acceptance is the foundation of empathy.

The feelings you experience within yourself are the key to your owndegree of acceptance toward others.

Roger’s core conditions form the backbone for empathic relationships.

Counselors need to be aware of their own cultural values and beliefs.

Counselors need to be aware of their client’s worldview.

Counselors need to use culturally appropriate intervention strategies.




Multicultural CounselingRelating Educational Method to Counseling Theory and Practice

Inviting a narrative.

Reexperiencing the sensory dimensions of cultural identity issues.

Making the narrative concrete and specific.

Moving to a reflective consciousness.

Seeing self-in-relation or self-in-system.




Multicultural CounselingLimitations of Multicultural Counseling and Theory (MCT)

The counselor needs to be highly competent in traditional theory.

The counselor needs to have a in-depth understanding of MCTmetatheory.

The counselor needs to develop a knowledge of many different cultures.

There is a small research base on MCT

It challenges traditional therapies.

It can be difficult for practicing counselors to incorporate it.




Multicultural CounselingStrengths of Multicultural Counseling and Theory (MCT)

It is a theoretical orientation in and of itself.

It provides a framework to address the needs of the culturally differentand provides an alternative to theories empirically validated on white,middle-class males.

Numerous interventions can be applied through this approach.

It is flexible and considers the needs of the individual in relationship to thecommunity.




Resources

Ivey, A. E., D’Andrea, M., Ivey, M. B. and Morgan, L. S. (2002). Theories of counseling

and psychotherapy: A multicultural perspective, 5th ed. Boston, MA.: Allyn &Bacon.

James, R. K. & Gilliland, B. E. (2003). Theories and strategies in counseling and

psychotherapy, 5th ed. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Kottler, J. A. (2002). Theories in counseling and therapy: An experiential approach.

Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.


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