The world of the Counselor An introduction to the counseling profession 5e chapter 15

Knowledge & Skills of Multicultural Counseling © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning       Over 33% of Americans are racial and ethnic minorities Midway through this century minorities will constitute over 50% of the American population  See Figure 15.1, p 501 Today, vast majority of immigrants are Latin American and Asian Changing religious demographics Changes in sex-role identity Increased sensitivity to people from different groups © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning  A Disclaimer: As you read about the various cultural groups, particularly about behaviors unique to those groups, remember that some may embrace the unique behaviors and values of their culture of origin but others may not Don’t ever forget the “individual.” © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning  African Americans  42 million Americans (14%)  90% descendants of slaves  6-10 million died in route from Africa  Laws restricting education, work, etc well into 1970s  37% of all hate crimes against African Americans  Recently rediscovered their heritage (symbolized by Kwanza)  Group oriented, value cooperation and interdependence © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning  Hispanics: People of Central American, South American, and Caribbean Origin  48 million Americans (16%)  Many from Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Cuba  Each has unique history and culture  Best to have knowledge of client’s country of origin  Extended family is emphasized  Interdependence over independence  Respect based on age, SES, gender, and perceived importance  Patriarchal  Many embrace Catholic values while at the same time believe in “cultural fatalism” © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning  People of Asian and Pacific Island Origin     Includes people from 25 countries Many from: China, Philippines, Korea, India, Vietnam, Hawaii Unique histories why they sought refuge in U.S Some similar values: ▪ Children tend to be obligated to parents ▪ Family members highly interdependent ▪ Generally patriarchal ▪ Guilt and shame to control behavior of family members ▪ Pride themselves in controlling feelings ▪ Formality in social relationships ▪ Mind and body seen as one ▪ Physical complaints way of expressing psychological problems  © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning  Native Americans  million Americans are Native American and one other race  3.2 million (1.0%) only Native American  120,000 are Alaskan Native  Many different Native Americans with unique histories  Millions killed by disease or war brought over from Europe  1.5% of Americans are American Indian heritage ▪ Six tribes = 40%, 252 languages, 22% on reservations  Many social problems on reservations  Mental health viewed from a spiritual/holistic perspective  Sense of Sense of shared cultural and common core values © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning Have the right attitudes and beliefs, gain knowledge, and learn skills Encourage clients to speak their own language Assess the cultural identity of the client Check the accuracy of your interpretation of the client’s nonverbals Make use of alternate modes of communication Assess the impact of sociopolitical issues on the client Encourage clients to bring in culturally significant and personally relevant items Vary the helping environment © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning      79 religious groups each having over 60,000 members in U.S Great variety of religions in U.S (see Table 14.1, p 471) 83% claim a religious affiliation and 88% say religion is fairly or very important Different histories and cultures Difference between religion and spirituality:  Religion is “the organized set of beliefs that encode a person or group’s attitudes toward, and understanding of, the nature of reality” (Ericksen, 2008, pp 510-511)  Spirituality is: “mindfulness about the existential qualities of life, especially the relationship between self, other, and the world” (Ericksen, 2008, pp 510–511) © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning  Brief Descriptions of Some Religions  Christianity: ▪ 2000 yrs ago ▪ Jesus ▪ Two billion members (33% of world population) ▪ Many sects ▪ Has offered answers to questions about life’s meaning and has focused world attention on the importance of assisting those in need © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning 10         Kinsey studies found much variability in sexuality Many Americans sill hold heterosexist attitudes which probably reflect unconscious fear of the “other” 48% of American continue to believe that being gay, bi, or lesbian is morally wrong (see Box 15.3, p 520 However, has been gains in Americans support of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals 18% of hate crimes against individuals due to sexual orientation APA has normalized homosexuality in the 1970s Transgenderism: person who does not identify with his or her birth sex and lives in congruence with the sex to which he or she identifies Transsexual: Disidentifies with his or her sex and uses hormones and/or surgery to realign his or her sex with gender identity © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning 20  Eleven Steps: Have the right attitudes and beliefs, gain knowledge, and learn skills Have a gay, lesbian, bisexual-friendly office Help gays, lesbians, and bisexuals understand and combat oppression Adopt an affirmative and nonheterosexist attitude Don’t jump to conclusions about lifestyle Understand differences among gays, lesbians, and bisexuals Know community resources for gay men and lesbian women Know identity issues Understand the complexity of sexuality 10.Understand idiosyncrasies of religious views of homosexuality 11.Recognize the importance of addressing unique issues that some gays, lesbians, and bisexuals may face © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning 21  Individuals Who Are HIV Positive  Over million people in U.S are HIV positive  56,000 new cases of HIV arise each year  18,0000 individuals die of the disease each year  600,000 Americans have died of AIDS since disease was identified  33 million children and adults are living with HIV  67% of world’s cases in sub-Saharan Africa © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning 22  Counseling Individuals Who Are HIV-Positive Have the right attitudes and beliefs, gain knowledge, and learn skills Know the cultural background of the client Know about the disease and combat myths Be prepared to take on uncommon counselor roles Be prepared to deal with unique treatment issues Deal with your own feelings about mortality Understand legal and ethical implications relative to end-of-life decisions Offer a “strength-based” approach to treatment © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning 23  The Hungry, Homeless, and the Poor  700,000 Americans homeless on any particular day  3.5 million homeless in one year  Increasingly include women, children, and families  Many are mentally ill  37% of homeless have chronic substance abuse  13% of population is poor  Relationship between race and poverty (see Figure 15.2, p 524)  McKinney Act provides some services, including mental health services © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning 24 Counseling the Hungry, the Homeless, and the Poor Have the right attitudes and beliefs, gain knowledge, and learn skills Focus on social issues Know the client’s racial/ethnic/cultural background Be knowledgeable about health risks Be prepared to deal with multiple issues Know about developmental delays and be prepared to refer Know psychological effects Know resources Be an advocate and stay committed  © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning 25  Older Persons  In 1900 4% of population was over 65  By 2030, 20% of U.S will be over 65  Older persons have become increasingly diverse  Older persons have a high percentage of mental health needs but attend counseling at lower rates  There has been an increase in day-treatment programs and long-term facilities © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning 26  Counseling Older Persons Have the right attitudes and beliefs, gain knowledge, and learn skills Adapt your counseling style Build a trusting relationship Be knowledgeable about issues many older persons face Know about possible and probable health changes Have empathy for changes in interpersonal relationships Know about physical and psychological causes of sexual dysfunction Involve the client’s family and friends © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning 27  The Chronically Mentally Ill  1955:over ½ million hospitalized for mental illness  Today, few than 100,000 hospitalized Due to: ▪ New and better drugs ▪ Community Mental Health Centers Act ▪ Deinstitutionalization (Donaldson v O’Connor)  Today, 4000 psychiatric facilities in U.S  26% of Americans diagnosed with a mental disorder every year (see Figure 15.3, p 527)  26% of homeless may have severe psychiatric problems © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning 28  Counseling the Chronically Mentally Ill Have the right attitudes and beliefs, gain knowledge, and learn skills Help the client understand his or her mental illness Help the client work through feelings concerning his or her mental illness Ensure attendance in counseling Ensure compliance with medication Ensure accurate diagnosis Reevaluate the client’s treatment plan and not give up Involve the client’s family Know resources © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning 29     Almost 50 million people and older have a disability Often discriminated against More likely to have a disability if you are in the South, are poor, and are a minority Number of federal laws had an impact on the ability of individuals with disabilities to receive services:  Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (PL 94142)  Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)  Rehabilitation Act of 1973  Americans with Disabilities Act of 1992 © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning 30  Counseling People with Disabilities Have the right attitudes and beliefs, gain knowledge and learn skills Have knowledge of the many disabling conditions Help clients know their disabilities Assist the client through the grieving process Know referral resources Know the law and inform your client of the law Be prepared to do, or refer for, vocational/career counseling Include the family Be an advocate © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning 31  Is all Counseling Multicultural? Where you stand? (see below)  First counselor asserts: “All counseling is multicultural, for everyone is different and just because you’re African American, Asian, or Hispanic or whatever, doesn’t mean you’re more different than the person I counsel who comes from the same background as me but still has some different values than I have.”  Second counselor retorts: “You not understand what it’s like to be culturally different To assert that all counseling is multicultural just shows your ignorance” Clearly, some individuals have roots in their unique culture, are dramatically different from you, and you best learn about their unique culture if you are to work with them effectively  Client-Counselor Match vs Cultural Competence? © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning 32    Ethical codes may hold some bias Some suggest using the “moral underpinnings of the code instead of the code”  However, these “moral models” may also be biased Make wise ethical decisions when dealing with multicultural issues © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning 33  The Ongoing Process of Counseling the Culturally Different  Counseling methods are not fixed—be open to new methods  “Not ours, not theirs; no one way of counseling surpasses another As cultures differ, so must counseling.” (Romano, 1992, p 1) © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning 34 [...]... the Tripaka teachings of Gautama Siddhartha; after becoming enlightened, became known as the Buddha  6% of world population  Four truths: 1 the truth of suffering 2 the cause of suffering, which is desire 3 the cessation of suffering, which is the renunciation of desire 4 the way that leads to the cessation of suffering © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning 11  Hinduism:  150 0...  Allah (God) is creator of the universe, merciful, kind, & allpowerful  Humans can be misled by Satan  Five duties: 1 profess their faith to Allah 2 pray five times a day 3 give regularly a portion of their material wealth to charity 4 fast daily until sundown during the month of Ramadan 5 attempt to make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning... Values  Culture and World View  Counselor Self-Awareness  Human and Spiritual Development  Communication  Assessment  Diagnosis and Treatment  See Box 15. 1, p 512: Religion as Projection of Self © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning 15   Today, many differences exist between men and women (see Table 15. 1, p 514) Gender-Aware Therapy  makes gender central to the therapeutic... 6 Understand differences among gays, lesbians, and bisexuals 7 Know community resources for gay men and lesbian women 8 Know identity issues 9 Understand the complexity of sexuality 10.Understand idiosyncrasies of religious views of homosexuality 11.Recognize the importance of addressing unique issues that some gays, lesbians, and bisexuals may face © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson... Disabilities 1 Have the right attitudes and beliefs, gain knowledge and learn skills 2 Have knowledge of the many disabling conditions 3 Help clients know their disabilities 4 Assist the client through the grieving process 5 Know referral resources 6 Know the law and inform your client of the law 7 Be prepared to do, or refer for, vocational/career counseling 8 Include the family 9 Be an advocate © 2007... division of Thomson Learning 17  Twelve steps: 1 Have right attitudes and beliefs, gain knowledge, and learn skills 2 Ensure that the counseling approach has been adapted for women 3 Establish relationship, give up power, demystify the process 4 Identify social/political issues and use them to set goals 5 Use a wellness model and avoid the use of diagnosis and labels 6 Validate a woman’s angry feelings toward... men to express what may be considered “softer feelings” 4 Early on in therapy, validate the man’s feelings 5 Validate his view of constraints by male sex-role stereotypes 6 Have a plan for therapy 7 Begin to discuss developmental issues 8 Slowly encourage the expression of new feelings (see Box 15. 2, p 518) 9 Explore underlying issues and reinforce new ways of understanding 10 Explore behavioral change... beliefs, gain knowledge, and learn skills 2 Know the cultural background of the client 3 Know about the disease and combat myths 4 Be prepared to take on uncommon counselor roles 5 Be prepared to deal with unique treatment issues 6 Deal with your own feelings about mortality 7 Understand legal and ethical implications relative to end -of- life decisions 8 Offer a “strength-based” approach to treatment © 2007... hormones and/or surgery to realign his or her sex with gender identity © 2007 Thomson Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning 20  Eleven Steps: 1 Have the right attitudes and beliefs, gain knowledge, and learn skills 2 Have a gay, lesbian, bisexual-friendly office 3 Help gays, lesbians, and bisexuals understand and combat oppression 4 Adopt an affirmative and nonheterosexist attitude 5 Don’t jump to. .. division of Thomson Learning 31  Is all Counseling Multicultural? Where do you stand? (see below)  First counselor asserts: “All counseling is multicultural, for everyone is different and just because you’re African American, Asian, or Hispanic or whatever, doesn’t mean you’re more different than the person I counsel who comes from the same background as me but still has some different values than I ... Hispanics: People of Central American, South American, and Caribbean Origin  48 million Americans (16%)  Many from Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Cuba  Each has unique history and culture  Best to. .. power, demystify the process Identify social/political issues and use them to set goals Use a wellness model and avoid the use of diagnosis and labels Validate a woman’s angry feelings toward her predicament... division of Thomson Learning 15   Today, many differences exist between men and women (see Table 15. 1, p 514) Gender-Aware Therapy  makes gender central to the therapeutic process  views problems