Introduction To Helping Relationships PowerPoint produced by Melinda Haley, M.S., New Mexico State University. “This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: any public performance or display, including transmission of an image over a network; preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or part, of any images; any rental, lease, or lending of the program.” “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

The Cultural Diversity of Helping Cross-Cultural Helping Compatibility of the helper and helpee personalities is important especially where there are ethnic and cultural differences. Research does not show the helper has to be of the same ethnicity or culture of the helpee. Multi-culturally effective helpers understand and respect the culture and ethnic differences of the client. Research shows that helpees prefer helpers to be of the same ethnic background. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

The Cultural Diversity of Helping Obstacles to Cross-Cultural Helping Fear of not being an adequate helper to someone of a different ethnicity or culture. Fear of rejection by the helpee. Fear of not understanding. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

The Cultural Diversity of Helping Overcoming Obstacles to Cross-Cultural Helping Learn and understand about the helpees culture (e.g. history, language, gender roles, social roles etc). Learn about the helpees worldview: How does the helpee view human nature? How does the helpee view time (past, present or future oriented). How does the helpee’s culture view social relationships (hierarchical or linear?) “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

The Cultural Diversity of Helping Overcoming Obstacles to Cross-Cultural Helping Understanding your views as a helper Are you ethnocentric and culturally encapsulated? Do you have racist thoughts or beliefs? Do you view people through the lens of stereotype? Do you know what your biases are? Is the helpee likely to see you as privileged? “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

The Cultural Diversity of Helping Multicultural Theories Most standard theories have been empirically validated on white, middle class males and therefore may not be as applicable for use with people who are culturally different. It is important to understand all of the helpee’s culture (e.g. nonverbal signs, proverbs, beliefs, child-rearing practices, rituals etc). How does the culture of the helpee view the helping process? What are the within-group differences (e.g. Latino, Mexican, Puerto Rican) are all “Hispanic” but are also all different. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

The Cultural Diversity of Helping Four Basic Premises of Multicultural Helping “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004” All cultures have meaningful ways of coping with stress. All helping is multi or cross-cultural (e.g. gay-straight; rich-not so rich; male-female; Mormon-Jewish Canadian-American). Problems are influenced by sociocultural conditions. Every culture has its own way of dealing with human misery.

The Cultural Diversity of Helping The Culture of Gender Culture is not synonymous with ethnicity. There is also a culture of gender. Feminist counseling was born out of the view that some male helpers did not take women’s culture into consideration. Counseling starts from the experience of the woman and then moves to values, attitudes and beliefs. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”

Introduction to Helping Relationships Presentation Resources Brammer, L. M. & MacDonald, G. (1999). The helping relationship: Process and skills, 7 th ed. Needham Heights, MA.: Allyn & Bacon. Kottler, J. A. (2000). Nuts and bolts of helping, 1 st ed. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”