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People of different cultures, including immigrants of today seem to differ from past generations in that they seek to retain many of their cultural values and are less interested in becoming homogenized within the U. S. culture. This diversity can create a potentially complex situation for both the client and therapist who may differ substantially in their own cultural values. Unconscious biases may lead to assumptions about clients based on their language, culture, background, or appearance, impacting the therapeutic process.
For successful therapy to take place, it is important for therapists to be culturally sensitive of clients and avoid stereotyping.
Stereotyping is detrimental to the client/therapist relationship. Therefore, to minimize the risk of misunderstanding and misinterpreting our clients we should acknowledge the influence of culture and respond respectfully to these cultural differences, values, and beliefs. This paper will define counseling and diversity and its disparities such as stereotypes and how they can be influenced from a counselor’s perspective.
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This paper is an expression of my current thinking regarding a theoretical perspective of counseling and diversity.
Counseling is a conversational process that can be instrumental in the development of skills that help those effectively confront and cope with uncertainties and conflicts. Counseling is for folks who are courageously facing their fears, who want more from their life, who want to expand their lives and achieve goals both personally and professionally. It’s a relationship that builds Confidence (Edwards, 2009 p90). Counseling is where a professional will give advice, opinions or direction based on what the patient has discussed with them.
In some ways, a counselor could almost be seen as a guide.
Counseling is done in an informal and comfortable environment where the patient is free to discuss what bothers them. They are free to express their feelings and emotions to someone they know are listening to them. It’s easy for people who don’t really know what counseling is to not realize there are many different types of counseling for different problems. Counseling is very much like therapy (Radcliff, 2009 p93) in that there are individual areas in which counseling focuses on. It is not simply one broad thing that one person covers. There are actually different subjects that different counselors will specialize in.
There is marriage counseling, family counseling, career counseling, mental health counseling, substance abuse counseling, debt counseling, child development counseling and grief counseling, to name a few. Diversity means differences such as different religious beliefs, different cultural traditions, music, art, dancing etc. (Patchell & Broussard,2009,p88) In the context of society and culture, diversity is usually mentioned in discussing multicultural societies. What do people from other cultures contribute when they migrate and become part of a new society.
Why should these different traditions and customs be valued? They enrich a society because they allow people to experience different thinking processes, to see that there is more than one way of approaching issues or living one's life. Why is diversity important? Educating managers and staff on how to work effectively in a diverse environment helps the University prevent discrimination and promote inclusiveness. There is evidence that managing a diverse work force well can contribute to increased staff retention and productivity (Ogans, 2009 p91).
It can enhance the organization's responsiveness to an increasingly diverse world of customers, improve relations with the surrounding community, increase the organization's ability to cope with change, and expand the creativity of the organization. In addition to contributing to these business goals, diversity can contribute to goals unique to the University as a public institution, such as increased accessibility and accountability to all residents of the state.
Cultural norms are behavior patterns that are typical of specific groups. These cultural norms can encompass various aspects of life, including communication styles, family structures, religious beliefs, and social customs. As mentioned in the abstract, people from different cultures, including immigrants, are increasingly seeking to retain their cultural values and identity, rather than assimilating into the dominant culture in the United States. This shift in attitude can lead to a complex situation in counseling and therapy settings, especially when therapists and clients have significant differences in their own cultural values.
One of the primary challenges that arise from these cultural differences is the potential for stereotyping. Stereotyping involves making assumptions or generalizations about individuals based on their cultural background, which can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations. Stereotypes are detrimental to the client-therapist relationship because they can create a sense of alienation and mistrust. Therefore, it is crucial for therapists to be culturally sensitive and avoid falling into the trap of stereotypes.
To provide effective counseling in a culturally diverse society, therapists must recognize and acknowledge the influence of culture on their clients' lives. This includes understanding that cultural values and beliefs play a significant role in shaping an individual's worldview, behaviors, and expectations. Without this recognition, therapists may inadvertently impose their own cultural norms and biases on their clients, which can hinder the therapeutic process.
Cultural sensitivity in counseling involves actively listening to clients, respecting their cultural backgrounds, and being open to learning about their values and traditions. It requires therapists to adopt a client-centered approach that tailors therapy to the unique needs and experiences of each individual, taking into account their cultural context.
Moreover, therapists should be aware of their own cultural biases and be willing to engage in self-reflection to identify any prejudices or preconceived notions they may hold. This self-awareness is essential for therapists to provide culturally competent care and avoid imposing their values on clients.
In addition to cultural sensitivity, another critical aspect of counseling and diversity is the concept of multicultural competence. Multicultural competence refers to a therapist's ability to effectively work with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds. It involves not only cultural awareness but also the acquisition of knowledge and skills necessary to address the specific needs and challenges that may arise in cross-cultural counseling.
Therapists should undergo training and education in multicultural competence to enhance their ability to navigate cultural differences, communicate effectively, and provide culturally appropriate interventions. This includes understanding the impact of cultural factors on mental health and well-being, as well as being familiar with resources and support systems available to clients within their cultural communities.
In conclusion, counseling in a culturally diverse society requires therapists to be culturally sensitive, avoid stereotyping, and strive for multicultural competence. Clients come from various cultural backgrounds, and their values, beliefs, and experiences significantly shape their perceptions and needs. Therapists must actively work to bridge cultural gaps, build trust, and provide effective support that respects and honors the diversity of their clients. By doing so, therapists can contribute to the well-being and mental health of individuals from different cultures, fostering a more inclusive and understanding society.
Counseling and Diversity. (2018, Oct 02). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/counseling-and-diversity-essay
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