Personal Strategies for Multicultural Humility 2
Personal Strategies for Multicultural Humility
According to Hook et al. (2017), one of the greatest challenges of being a multiculturally
oriented counselor is owning one’s limitations. People tend to dismiss their shortcomings and
hide from self-reflection and accountability. It is my hope to avoid these pitfalls by establishing a
plan to actively engage in strategies to produce multicultural humility in my work and
profession. In my paper I will discuss personal strategies to incorporate multicultural humility
into my life as a counselor which include my strengths and limitations, a plan for seeking
feedback, and a plan for addressing limitations.
Limitations and Strengths
Understanding my limitations and strengths is essential to working with self-awareness
that propagates growth. Hook et al. (2017) established a three pillared framework for
multicultural orientation that includes humility, leaning into cultural conversations and
interactions with clients, and inhabiting a way of life that increases one’s cultural comfort with
others. This framework includes some of my strongest traits. I am empathic and extremely
receptive to sitting in what others might call uncomfortable silence or awkward interactions. I
maintain open body language with a calm presence and remain open to whatever is shared. I
rarely show strong reactions to what is presented, and I slow down and process what someone
shares even when a person’s values contradict my own. I am naturally curious and do not fear
new ideas, so I tend to ask open ended questions that promote conversations. While these
strengths can help my multicultural orientation, I can also become dogmatic and defensive when
I believe a value contrary to my Christian worldview may lead someone to an unhealthy reality.
When identifying my limitations in multicultural humility, issues pertaining to human
sexuality present areas of much concern for me. It seems in my work as a pastor, this issue is
Personal Strategies for Multicultural Humility 3
always a hot topic of discussion, misunderstanding, and fear. I have seen many adolescents move
through gender dysphoria and confusion about sexual orientation. I seem to get lost in
understanding the multitude of terms and definitions and only recently understood what cis
gender means. Mason (2019) explains that when we speak to those who are struggling with
issues such as these, we must first recognize it is people who are made in the image of God that
we are discussing, so we must offer compassion, grace, and humility in our approach and
responses to them. He also gives a theological foundation for the kind of body with which we are
raised, male or female, and that we do not have the decision to choose. It is God who
“determines” our gender. Other ideas on these issues abound.
Plan for Seeking Feedback
Hook et al. (2017) challenges counselors to find a place where their cultural perspective
is challenged and to remain there. It is helpful to be continually exposed to perspectives that do
not reflect one’s own. This may mean leaving a group of same-minded relationships to interact
with a new group of people who have different points of views. Part of self-awareness means
that I respond to what I learn. This is one weakness I recognize in my life. I accept there are
other ways of thinking and believing, but I do not always apply what I learn or implement a
change in an attitude or behavior. Hook et al. (2017) suggests a systematic approach of continual
assessment, setting goals, and monitoring progress. This will help me incorporate what I have
learned and grow.
Part of seeking feedback means that I never dismiss the perspective of my clients even if
I disagree with them (Hook et al., 2017). While I maintain curiosity toward clients most of the
time, I can also become defensive and dismissive if I am not careful to humble myself. I will
need the help of accountability partners and colleagues who can challenge my attitudes toward
Personal Strategies for Multicultural Humility 4
my clients. I also have a Senior Pastor who works at my church who I will engage with for
supervision.
I will incorporate surveys into my counseling with clients. I will keep track of goals and
assess progress. I will ask for feedback on how I am open to the views of my clients during the
on-going therapeutic relationship. Some questions that I can ask of clients to seek a better
understanding of their cultural identity include ideas of gender roles and family expectations as
well as different ideas of work, home, religious rites, and celebrations. Open ended questions
allows the client to respond as much as they want to share, and I can continue to ask for further
exploration of their thoughts and feelings in these areas.
Plan for Addressing Limitations
Hook et al. (2017) suggests deciding to soften defensive responses before an encounter.
This is intentional behavior to address internal issues before they happen. Making a
commitment to be the kind of person I need to be will affect change in my work with clients. I
must recognize there will be many times when I need to practice the art of referral. I will not
have all the resources, knowledge, or practice to address every issue that comes my way, and it is
okay. Being a person of multicultural humility means I recognize I have limitations, and I engage
in learning more about those I do not know. For example, the video series and Live webinar I
found on the website Pesi.com to address my limitations in understanding the issues of
transgender and non-binary clients may be a resource to help me with this group of people. It
addresses issues and treatment strategies in the counseling office of non-gender binary and
transgender clients.
Spencer (2021) examines the reality of intersex individuals who are born with what is
genitalia of both sexes and argues that the evangelical community has not allowed for a God-
Personal Strategies for Multicultural Humility 5
given image bearing place for these individuals. I chose this article because I have been in
contact with a family who is struggling with understanding how to love their child through some
of these issues. I never imagined this would be something I would deal with in my life as a pastor
at my church, yet this is where I find myself. I know I am limited in my understanding of these
issues, and I have started the long process to understand these different perspectives. Reading
this article has helped me see the pain of intersex individuals who experienced surgical
procedures without free agency because they were too young when their parents made a gender
assignment for them based on culturally dominant viewpoints. This has led to painful
expressions of loss and confusion in the lives of those who were treated this way.
I will seek the help of my denomination to connect me with a counselor who has dealt
with these issues, and I will meet with the Senior Pastor of my church as he works with me in a
supervisory role.
Conclusion
This assignment has helped me identify some strengths and areas where I need
refinement. It has prompted me to create a plan for feedback so that I may grow as a pastoral
counselor, and it has reminded me that I will always have limitations. It is with humility that I
will be able to recognize when I need to seek more information and awareness about my clients
and their perspectives and when I need to refer them to another counselor. Through this process I
also started to read more about issues of transgender and non-binary gender people. I hope to
grow in my understanding of all people and to develop a multicultural mindset of humility.
Personal Strategies for Multicultural Humility 6
References
Hook, J. N., Davis, D., Owen, J., & DeBlaere, C. (2017). Cultural humility: Engaging diverse
identities in therapy. American Psychological Association.
Leland G.CSpencerC(2021)CThe Nashville statement’s undoing? Grappling with evangelical
Christianity’s ontology of sex,CJournal of Homosexuality,C68:6,C1059-
1074,CDOI:C10.1080/00918369.2019.1696101
Mason, M. (2019). A theological and pastoral response to gender dysphoria. In J. D. Chatraw &
K. S. Prior (Eds.), Cultural engagement: A crash course in contemporary issues (pp. 90-
92). Zondervan Academic.
Transgender & Gender Non-Binary (TGNB) Clients: Clinical issues and treatment Strategies.
(n.d.). [Video]. https://catalog.pesi.com/item/130229?
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xOTIxMzg1LjE3MDkzOTI4NDY.
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