MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING Courtland C Lee Ph D Professor

MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING Courtland C. Lee, Ph. D. Professor Counselor Education Program University of Maryland at College Park President, International Association for Counselling

A THOUGHT “The greatest distance between people is not space, the greatest distance between people is culture. ” Jamake Highwater

What is Multicultural Counseling? The interface between counselor and client that takes the personal dynamics of the counselor and client into consideration alongside the dynamics found in the cultures of the counselor and the client.

BASIC CONCEPTS OF MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING � Culture refers to any group of people who identify or associate with one another on the basis of some common purpose, need or similarity of background � All counseling is cross-cultural in nature � Multicultural counseling places an emphasis on human diversity in all its many forms

BASIC CONCEPTS OF MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING � Culturally competent counselors develop awareness, knowledge and skills to intervene effectively in the lives of people from culturally diverse backgrounds � Culturally competent counselors are multiculturally literate human beings

THE MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING PARADIGM Counselor Client Distinct Cultural Differences (e. g. ) * Race/Ethnicity/Culture *Gender * Ability Status * Religion/Spirituality * SES * Age *Language

12 GUIDELINES FOR COUNSELING ACROSS CULTURES

12 GUIDELINES FOR COUNSELING ACROSS CULTURES 1. Consider culture factors in the counseling interaction. Remember differences are just that. They are not necessarily deficiencies or pathological deviations! Watch the WOW!! factor! Meet people where they are!

12 GUIDELINES FOR COUNSELING ACROSS CULTURES 2. Examine and evaluate your own “cultural baggage. ” Consider your possible cultural privilege when counseling across cultures.

12 GUIDELINES FOR COUNSELING ACROSS CULTURES 3. Examine and evaluate the relevance of your theoretical orientation. Consider how issues of racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, etc. may impact theory.

12 GUIDELINES FOR COUNSELING ACROSS CULTURES 4. Consider the level of cultural identity development and degree of acculturation of clients/student s.

12 GUIDELINES FOR COUNSELING ACROSS CULTURES 5. Avoid cultural stereotypes in counseling. Consider the individual within a cultural context. “Americans love to eat at Mc. Donald’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken” “Asians don’t show their true face” “Latin women are hot-blooded”

12 GUIDELINES FOR COUNSELING ACROSS CULTURES 6. Establish good rapport with clients/students from culturally diverse backgrounds (Consider adopting an interpersonal orientation)

12 GUIDELINES FOR COUNSELING ACROSS CULTURES 7. Talk therapy is not the only tool you can use. Consider using cultural art forms in counseling

12 GUIDELINES FOR COUNSELING ACROSS CULTURES 8. Consider cultural differences in help -seeking attitudes and behavior.

12 GUIDELINES FOR COUNSELING ACROSS CULTURES 9. Be willing to learn from clients/students from culturally diverse backgrounds. Let them tell you their story. Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t understand. ”

12 GUIDELINES FOR COUNSELING ACROSS CULTURES 10. Experience cultural diversity firsthand strive to become multicultrally literate. Multicultural Literacy = What Every Culturally Competent Human Being Should Know

12 GUIDELINES FOR COUNSELING ACROSS CULTURES 11. Be willing to use indigenous models of helping. Consider forming therapeutic alliances with traditional healers when appropriate.

12 GUIDELINES FOR COUNSELING ACROSS CULTURES 12. Be advocates for clients/students from culturally diverse backgrounds in helping them deal with the “system. ” If necessary, be a systemic change agent in your work setting

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS

Thank You! clee 5@umd. edu