Multicultural Counseling Forming diversity

Defining Multicultural Counseling Professional Intervention Counseling Relationships - the client and the counselor belong to different 1. cultural groups 2. subscribe to different worldviews 3. have distinguishing differences (Baruth & Manning, 2012) Multicultural counseling is the professional intervention and counseling relationship between the counselor and the client who belong to different cultural groups, subscribe to different worldviews, and have distinguishing differences (Baruth & Manning, 2012).

Defining Multicultural Counseling Continued Counseling Relationships - the client and the counselor have distinguishing differences such a. gender b. sexual orientation c. disabilities d. social class e. spirituality f. life-span period (Baruth & Manning, 2012) The counseling relationship begins by becoming familiar with clients’ cultural backgrounds and social norms (Baruth & Manning, 2012). Counselors should never project their own beliefs onto clients (Erford, 2011).

Key Aspects of Multicultural Counseling Professional Intervention Techniques Reflect Clients’ - Cultural Background - Ethnic Background - Lifespan Period (Baruth & Manning, 2012) Multicultural counseling links counselors and clients with different worldviews to begin a counseling relationship (Baruth & Manning, 2012). Counselors and clients will have many differences in their cultural backgrounds that will be different. Counselors will gain an understanding of their clients’ cultural backgrounds before they will begin the counseling relationship (Baruth & Manning, 2012).

Key Aspects of Multicultural Counseling Continued Professional Intervention Techniques Reflect Clients’ - Socioeconomic Status - Gender Perspectives - Disabilities - Sexual Orientation (Baruth & Manning, 2012) Counselors will explore their clients cultural and ethnic backgrounds, lifespan periods, socioeconomic statuses, gender perspectives, disabilities, and sexual orientations (Baruth & Manning, 2012).

Multicultural Counseling Intervention Counseling Professionals Plan Accordingly - Counseling techniques are chosen to fit the client’s cultural - Clients differ in the concerns they bring to counseling - Counselors explain the counseling process to the client (Baruth & Manning, 2012) - Informed consent is explained and obtained (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2004). Counselors must chose a modality suitable for their client (Baruth & Manning, 2012). Counselors must consider the different concerns their clients’ bring into counseling sessions (Baruth & Manning, 2012). Counselors must explain the counseling process and obtain a signed informed consent to protect the client from any harm (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2004).

Multicultural Counseling Orientation Counselors view clients - Family Context - Culture Context - Interventions are tailored toward social action - Aim to change factors creating the problem - Increase awareness - Environmental focus (Corey, 2013) Counselors view clients in the context of the family and the culture (Corey, 2013). Counselors aim to facilitate social action by increasing clients’ awareness of their environments (Corey, 2013). Counselors discuss environmental factors associated with clients’ problems in an attempt to lead clients to change within their communities rather than merely increasing their insight (Corey, 2013).

Professional Responsibilities Counselors must understand & know the following: - their own cultural backgrounds - their clients’ cultures - their limitations - their ethical duties (Baruth & Manning, 2012) Counselors must be educated about their own cultural backgrounds to be able to distinguish the cultural differences (Baruth & Manning, 2012). Counselors have to know their clients’ cultural backgrounds to be effective (Baruth & Manning, 2012). Counselors must be able to identify their limitations and recognize when a client must be transferred to another professional (Baruth & Manning, 2012). Counselors must subscribe to the ACA Code of Ethics (Baruth & Manning, 2012).

Ethical Guidelines & Considerations The 2005 ACA Code of Ethics serves five main purposes 1. to clarify the ethical responsibilities to current and future members 2. to help support the mission of the association 3. to establish the principles that define ethical behavior & the best practices of the associations members (Erford, 2011) The 2005 ACA Code of Ethics was created as a guide for counselors to follow to protect the public (Erford, 2011). The Code enables the association to clarify to current and future members their ethical responsibilities (Erford, 2011). The Code was established to help support the mission of the association (Erford, 2011). The Code establishes the principles that define ethical behaviors for members to follow (Erford, 2011).

Ethical Guidelines & Considerations The 2005 ACA Code of Ethics serves five main purposes continued: 4. to serve as an ethical guide designed to assist members in constructing a professional course of action to utilize counseling services 5. to serve as the basis for processing ethical complaints & inquiries The Code serves as an ethical guide designed to assist members in creating a course of action to best serve those utilizing counseling services (Erford, 2011). The Code serves as the basis for processing ethical complaints and inquiries against members (Erford, 2011). The 2005 ACA Code of Ethics is the rule book for counselors and is utilized to maintain order, professionalism, and safety (Erford, 2011).

References Baruth, L.G., & Manning, M.L. (2012). Multicultural counseling and psychotherapy (5th ed.). Boston: Pearson. Corey, G. (2013). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole. Erford, B.T. (2011). Transforming the school counseling profession (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson. Goldenberg, I., & Goldenberg, H. (2004). Family therapy an overview (6th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.