Cultural Diversity
The following video explains the necessity for assuming a culturally sensitive approach to counselling. By ignoring cultural differences we are simply approving of discrimination that exists within the world. Please watch the following video before continuing on, and reflect on why you should celebrate the differences between you and your neighbour.
What is Cultural Diversity?
Rationale for Multicultural Counselling
Physically, geographically, and statistically Canada is a multicultural nation. In an effort to fully embody this unique standard of life where everybody’s beliefs and values are fully accepted, the same sets of standards need to be put forth within the arena of counselling. I believe that within Canada the need for multicultural acknowledgement and respect is imperative because, as the facts reported by Arthur and Collins (2005) indicate to us, this is a plausible reason for the unequally distributed use of professional counselling by Canadians. Usage rates within Canada suggest that people from non-dominant ethnic groups seek counselling services for mental health issues at a significantly lower rate than people from dominant groups. Furthermore, research on people from non-dominant groups in society indicates that they often terminate counselling after the initial session (Arthur & Collins, 2005). The principal cause of this is that they did not feel understood by their counsellor. Alongside our attempt to modify Canada into a nation that is wholeheartedly accepting of all ethnicities and races, counselling needs to reflect this multicultural vantage point.
Physically, geographically, and statistically Canada is a multicultural nation. In an effort to fully embody this unique standard of life where everybody’s beliefs and values are fully accepted, the same sets of standards need to be put forth within the arena of counselling. I believe that within Canada the need for multicultural acknowledgement and respect is imperative because, as the facts reported by Arthur and Collins (2005) indicate to us, this is a plausible reason for the unequally distributed use of professional counselling by Canadians. Usage rates within Canada suggest that people from non-dominant ethnic groups seek counselling services for mental health issues at a significantly lower rate than people from dominant groups. Furthermore, research on people from non-dominant groups in society indicates that they often terminate counselling after the initial session (Arthur & Collins, 2005). The principal cause of this is that they did not feel understood by their counsellor. Alongside our attempt to modify Canada into a nation that is wholeheartedly accepting of all ethnicities and races, counselling needs to reflect this multicultural vantage point.
Using a variety of strategies in my work with clients is one way that I think I can employ a culturally competent approach in my work. Amongst these strategies is the Johari Window. I really like this window because it validates the concept of differences. In particular, this model suggest that we all have differences; some may just be harder to see.
This model suggests that there are aspects amongst us all that are; a) known by self; b) known by others; c) unknown by self; and d) unknown by others. So as I said above, some of these differences we have may just be harder to see. For this reason, I think that this model is a valuable tool to draw upon when discussing multicultural competence in counselling. By validating the differences one may be feeling I will strive to normalize how this makes people feel by sharing my differences with them and explaining the concept of the Johari Window.
By assuming a multicultural approach to counselling we will inevitably be placed in situations that we cannot personally relate to and that we are initially uncomfortable with. In order to effectively work with a wide range of clients I must strive to draw out the underlying universal emotions that are involved and relate to clients’ situations with my own experiences of these underlying universal emotions; for instance, these may be sentiments of guilt, frustration, anxiety. By using the Johari Window, I aspire to blur the distinction between these four categories and progressively move towards a better understanding of self and others. Ultimately, I believe that this will lead to a feeling of enhanced calmness in relation to the notion of practicing from a multicultural perspective and enable me to feel more confident with my abilities.
By assuming a multicultural approach to counselling we will inevitably be placed in situations that we cannot personally relate to and that we are initially uncomfortable with. In order to effectively work with a wide range of clients I must strive to draw out the underlying universal emotions that are involved and relate to clients’ situations with my own experiences of these underlying universal emotions; for instance, these may be sentiments of guilt, frustration, anxiety. By using the Johari Window, I aspire to blur the distinction between these four categories and progressively move towards a better understanding of self and others. Ultimately, I believe that this will lead to a feeling of enhanced calmness in relation to the notion of practicing from a multicultural perspective and enable me to feel more confident with my abilities.
References
American Psychological Association (2002). Guidelines on multicultural education, training, research, practice, and organizational change for psychologists. Retrieved February 21, 2011, from http://www.apa.org/pi/multiculturalguideliunes.pdf
Arthur, N., & Collins, S. (2005). Culture infused counselling: Celebrating the Canadian mosaic. Calgary, AB; Counselling Concepts.
American Psychological Association (2002). Guidelines on multicultural education, training, research, practice, and organizational change for psychologists. Retrieved February 21, 2011, from http://www.apa.org/pi/multiculturalguideliunes.pdf
Arthur, N., & Collins, S. (2005). Culture infused counselling: Celebrating the Canadian mosaic. Calgary, AB; Counselling Concepts.