Although increased attention is being given to course work in multicultural is- sues, many practitioners remain uncertain about how and when to incorporate
multicultural awareness and skills in their clinical practice (Cardemil & Battle, 2003). One way to actively incorporate a multicultural dimension is to initiate open discussions with clients regarding issues of race and ethnicity. Cardemil and Battle contend that doing so enhances the therapeutic alliance and pro- motes better treatment outcomes. To provoke thought and stimulate conversa- tion about race and ethnicity, they suggest that therapists incorporate these recommendations throughout the therapeutic process:
• Suspend preconceptions about clients’ race/ethnicity and that of their family members. Avoid making incorrect assumptions that could impede the development of the therapeutic relationship by asking clients early in the therapy process how they identify their race/ethnicity.
• Engage clients in conversations about race and ethnicity to avoid stereo- typing and making faulty assumptions. Clients may be quite different from other members of their racial/ethnic group.
• Address how racial/ethnic differences between therapist and client might affect the therapy process. Although it is not possible to identify every between-group difference that could surface during the course of therapy, therapists need to be willing to consider the relevance of racial/ethnic dif- ferences with clients.
• Acknowledge that power, privilege, and racism can affect interactions with clients. Having discussions in these areas are invaluable in strength- ening the therapeutic relationship.
• Recognize that the more comfortable therapists are with conversations about race and ethnicity, the more easily they can respond appropriately to clients who may be uncomfortable with such discussions.
• Remain open to ongoing learning about the various dimensions of cul- ture and how they may affect therapeutic work. Be willing to identify and examine your own personal worldview, assumptions, and personal prejudices about other racial/ethnic groups. Realize that this skill does not develop quickly or without effort.
It is unrealistic to expect a counselor to know everything about the cultural background of a client, but some understanding of the client’s cultural and ethnic background is essential. There is much to be said for letting clients teach counsel- ors about relevant aspects of their culture. It is a good idea for counselors to ask clients to provide them with the information they will need to work effectively.
Incorporating culture into the therapeutic process is not limited to working with clients from a certain ethnic or cultural background. It is critical that therapists take into account the worldview and background of every client. Failing to do this seriously restricts the potential impact of the therapeutic endeavor.
In the case of individuals who have the experience of living in more than one culture, it is useful to assess the degree of acculturation and identity de- velopment that has taken place. Clients often have allegiance to their culture of origin, and yet they may fi nd certain characteristics of their new culture at- tractive. They may experience confl icts in integrating the two cultures in which they live. Different rates of acculturation among family members is a com- mon complaint of clients who are experiencing family problems. These core
struggles can be explored productively in the therapeutic context if the coun- selor understands and respects this cultural confl ict.
WELCOMING DIVERSITY Counseling is by its very nature diverse in a mul- ticultural society, so it is easy to see that there are no ideal therapeutic ap- proaches. Instead, different theories have distinct features that have appeal for different cultural groups. Some theoretical approaches have limitations when applied to certain populations. Effective multicultural practice demands an open stance on the part of the practitioner, fl exibility, and a willingness to modify strategies to fi t the needs and the situation of the individual client.
Practitioners who truly respect their clients will be aware of clients’ hesita- tions and will not be too quick to misinterpret this behavior. Instead, they will patiently attempt to enter the world of their clients as much as they can. It is not necessary for practitioners to have the same experiences as their clients, but they should be open to a similar set of feelings and struggles. It is more often by differences than by similarities that we are challenged to look at what we are doing.
MULTICULTUR AL GUIDELINES Western society is becoming increasingly di- verse, yet our therapy models are based primarily on Eurocentric assumptions, which do not always consider the infl uence and impact of racial and cultural socialization (APA, 2003). To address the knowledge and skills needed in our changing world, the American Psychological Association (2003) provides pro- fessionals with a framework for delivering services to our diverse population.
Although these guidelines have been developed specifi cally to aid psycholo- gists, other practitioners may also fi nd them useful.
1. “Psychologists are encouraged to recognize that, as cultural beings, they may hold attitudes and beliefs that can detrimentally infl uence their per- ceptions of and interactions with individuals who are ethnically and ra- cially different from themselves” (p. 382).
2. “Psychologists are encouraged to recognize the importance of multicultural sensitivity/responsiveness to, knowledge of, and understanding about eth- nically and racially different individuals” (p. 385).
3. “As educators, psychologists are encouraged to employ the constructs of multiculturalism and diversity in psychological education” (p. 386).
4. “Culturally sensitive psychological researchers are encouraged to recog- nize the importance of conducting culture-centered and ethical psycho- logical research among persons from ethnic, linguistic, and racial minority backgrounds” (p. 388).
5. “Psychologists are encouraged to apply culturally appropriate skills in clin- ical and other applied psychological practices” (p. 390).
6. “Psychologists are encouraged to use organizational change processes to support culturally informed organizational (policy) development and prac- tices” (p. 392).
These guidelines are a working document, not a dogmatic set of prescrip- tions. The integration of racial and ethnic factors into psychological theory, practice, and research is a recent development.
SOME ADDITIONAL PR ACTICAL GUIDELINES If the counseling process is to be effective, it is essential that cultural concerns be addressed with all clients.
Here are some additional guidelines that may increase your effectiveness when working with clients from diverse backgrounds:
• Learn more about how your own cultural background has infl uenced your thinking and behaving. Take steps to increase your understanding of other cultures.
• Identify your basic assumptions, especially as they apply to diversity in culture, ethnicity, race, gender, class, spirituality, religion, and sexual orientation. Think about how your assumptions are likely to affect your professional practice.
• Examine where you obtained your knowledge about culture.
• Learn to pay attention to the common ground that exists among people of diverse backgrounds.
• Be fl exible in applying the methods you use with clients. Don’t be wedded to a specifi c technique if it is not appropriate for a given client.
• Remember that practicing from a multicultural perspective can make your job easier and can be rewarding for both you and your clients.
It takes time, study, and experience to become an effective multicultural counselor. Multicultural competence cannot be reduced simply to cultural awareness and sensitivity, to a body of knowledge, or to a specifi c set of skills.
Instead, it requires a combination of all of these factors.
Issues Faced by Beginning Therapists
In this section I identify some of the major issues that most of us typically face, particularly during the beginning stages of learning how to be therapists.
When you complete formal course work and begin facing clients, you will be put to the test of integrating and applying what you have learned. At that point some real concerns are likely to arise about your adequacy as a person and as a professional. Here are some useful guidelines for your refl ection on dealing with the challenge of becoming an effective counselor.