1. Multicultural Counseling
Learning Modules

2. Multicultural Counseling
Cultures
Stages of Identity
Counseling Techniques
Counseling Sessions
Resources

3. Multicultural Counseling
Asian
Native American
African
Hispanic
Caucasian
Cultures

4. African American True / False ?
Most studies indicate the African American groups have similar values and family structure.
What year did Martin Luther King, Jr. present the famous “I have a Dream” address in Washington D.C.?
Martin Luther King, Jr.

5. Hispanic American True / False ?
Mexican-Americans have a lower educational level and literacy rate than Blacks.

6. Caucasian American True / False ?
Most Caucasian Americans have learned about other cultures from their own families and share similar beliefs.
The Caucasian population will continue to be the dominant population in America.
True
False

7. Native American True / False ?
The Native American behaves differently from non-Native Americans because of the poverty in which the great majority of Native Americans live.

8. Asian American True / False ?
The incidence of poverty among elderly Chinese is much higher than it is for elderly African Americans and Spanish-speaking populations.

9. Multicultural Counseling
Stages of Identity

10. Stage I: Conformity Pressure for assimilation/ acculturation
Idealizes White society
Choice of values from dominant group
Racial self-hatred
Self-worth from White perspective
Adopt attitudes of dominant culture

11. Stage I: Conformity Counseling Implications
Identity exploration not comfortable
May prefer problem solving approach
May see majority therapist as desirable
May become dependent on therapist
Wants to please/gain approval
Positive attempts to assimilate

12. Stage II: Dissonance Breakdown of denial system
Questions dominant culture values
Triggers self-exploration
Begins to see positives of own group
Growing sense of comradeship
Mixed feelings=pride, shame at sell out
Confusion about self-concept

13. Stage II: Dissonance Counseling Implications
Encourage self-exploration
Counselor needs knowledge of client’s group
May still prefer White counselor but minority counselors generally more knowledgeable

14. Stage III: Resistance/Immersion
Begins to understand prejudice forces
Anger at perceived cultural oppression
Rejects values of dominant culture
Guilt/shame at having sold out in past
Suspicion/mistrust of dominant group

15. Stage III: Resistance/Immersion
Counseling Implications
Prefer same group counselor
Will test a dominant group counselor
Don’t get defensive/personalize attacks
Can attack same group counselor too
Self-discovery, self-esteem
Action oriented approach aimed at external change/relating to both groups

16. Multicultural Counseling
Counseling Techniques

17. Culturally Skilled Therapists
What beliefs and attitudes, knowledge and skills do you think a culturally skilled therapist should have?

18. Culturally Skilled Therapists
Beliefs and Attitudes
Being aware of one's own beliefs, attitudes, and biases, realizing these influence one's work with clients from other cultures.
Developing an appreciation for diverse cultures and an attitude of comfort and challenge when working with diverse clients.
Being sensitive to one's limits of competence when working with clients from different cultures.

19. Culturally Skilled Therapists
Knowledge
Understanding the history, traditions, and values of their clients' culture.
Being aware of different cultures' views of mental health, chemical dependency counseling, adjustment, and helping.
Developing sensitivity to institutional barriers and prejudices that impinge on clients from different cultures.

20. Culturally Skilled Therapists
Skills
Being flexible in utilizing approaches that are compatible with the cultures of clients with whom they are working.
Communicating effectively with clients by using appropriate language and nonverbal behaviors.
Being familiar with referral sources, agencies, and programs that are appropriate for clients from different backgrounds and cultures.

21. Multicultural Counseling
Counseling Sessions

22. Counseling Sessions What is your age and experience?
Do you have experience working with Hispanic clients?
I’m not here to teach someone. I’m here to get help.
Session Video

23. Counseling Sessions
What is the importance of an ideal match between a counselor and client?

24. Resources Multicultural Issues
International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology (IACCP)