replys 509

      Multicultural counseling is counseling that combines the cultural identities of the client and focuses on the counseling relationship, process, and outcome (Hays & Erford, 2018). As a multicultural counselor you are to actually learn your patients in and out so that you can provide adequate service to them. Counselors would be learning the cultural groups of their clients which include race, gender, socioeconomic status, age and spirituality group if necessary (Hays & Erford, 2018). Cultural factors such as race, ethnic, socioeconomic status and nonnative English speakers play a crucial role when a client seeks and remain in mental health treatment. So, if a client comes to you weary and reluctant about starting counseling, as a counselor you should be able to ease their discomforts and help them feel comfortable enough to at least start the process.

            There a many important communication style concepts that are important for multicultural counselors to be aware of. One very important one is to recognize the multidimensionality of all clients in a comprehensive and integrative way. In other words, showing the client that you are aware of their being and who they are can help in tremendous ways. This can be done by following the RESPECTFUL Model. The model has ten factors that a counselor should acknowledge about the client and they are Religious, Economic, Sexual identity, Psychological maturity, Ethnic-cultural-racial identity, Chronological development challenges, Trauma, Family history and dynamics, Unique physical characteristics and Location of residence and language differences (10 multicultural factors to consider in counseling, 2017). The counselor should be flexible and open to changes because every client will be different and will not need the same services as the one previous. I believe the counselor needs to be respectful and know what having cultural competence means. This would mean following the RESPECTFUL model and not try to push their own beliefs on a client. This can do more damage than good. For example, I am a counselor who has a client who background is Buddhism. Just because I know some great Scriptures from the Bible that could possibly help with their coping techniques does not mean I should force them on my client. Lastly, the counselor should know when to ask for help from other sources. Sometimes, the client may need multiple sources of help and you are not equipped to handle it all. All in all, the counselor should be there to help the client get better and not add on problems.

Reference

10 multicultural factors to consider in counseling. (2017, April 5). Retrieved from Online Counseling Programs: https://onlinecounselingprograms.com/blog/multicultural-counseling-model/

Hays, D. G., & Erford, B. T. (2018). Developing multicultural counseling competence: A systems approach. New York: Pearson

Reply 200 words