Unique Characteristics

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School

Liberty University *

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Course

PACO 504

Subject

Philosophy

Date

Dec 6, 2023

Type

docx

Pages

3

Uploaded by Counselor2023

Unique Characteristics Culturally competent pastoral counselors should be familiar with diverse cultures in order to enhance or even maximize the effectiveness of counseling. Listed below are some characteristics of various cultural groups. For the African American culture , spiritual and religious values are very important. Many times, there is the possibility of the complexity of the family arrangements, (Sue & Sue, 2019, p.305), and this lends to others outside the nuclear family, taking on the responsibility to make sure a good spiritual foundation is given to the children. Over 75% of African Americans state that religion is very important to them and they rely on religious and spiritual communities to deal with mental health issues. The church is used as a support system, and functions as a religious, social and political hub, facilitating social events that serve to foster “peoplehood.” (Sue & Sue, 2019). I know for certain, in the African American culture, the institution of the church is used to deal social and economic stressors or conflicts involving the family, school, or community. Church personnel are many times consulted and involved in the parishioners’ affairs. In regard to the American Indians/Native Americans and Alaska Natives, I have first had knowledge with the challenges of alcohol and substance abuse, withing the culture. It was very saddening to see, while residing in Anchorage, Alaska, the alcohol/substance abuse exhibited by the Native people. It has become the normal and should not be. I could not grasp the notion, especially because they are given priority, to any and all government programs, monthly monetary endowments, and looked after by the people of Alaska. It is common to see both men and woman staggering in the street, sleeping anywhere on the ground, making tent towns, frozen in the snow when winter is over, exhibiting belligerent verbal and physical behavior to strangers, urinating and defecating in public. These are all symptoms of some other issues down deep. As counselors we have to be willing in to get to the root of the matter. This may time over the sessions. Many times asking the “miracle question,” (Kollar, 2011), what their life would be like, if they were sober, would help the counselor to address, some of the hidden feelings. In (Sue & Sue, 2019), there may be some feelings of historical loss of language, land, tradition, not belonging, loss of status. The heavy drinking use to dull pain to it all. Family should be brought into the therapy and treatment program, if at all possible. Natives view community and family as very important. In The Quick-Reference Guide to Bibilical Counseling, (Clinton & Hawkins, 2009, pp. 19-25), advice is given who to counsel clients with additions.
While living in Alaska, I had the pleasure to befriend some women of Samoa. These Pacific Islanders, as (Sue & Sue, 2019), states are big on the harmony of the family relationships and respect for elders. They reliance on community made it very interested. Samoans are a tribal people. When they moved to Alaska, they maintained this living structure and move close to one another, in the same neighborhoods. They many times have an extended family arrangement, where all members play multiple roles. The whole village helps to raise the children. Counselors should also be aware when counseling, there appears to be some underling racism between some Samoan men and Caucasians. I am not sure the root. This could cause problems when trying to counsel with them. In dealing with conflicts, the family would be a great resource to involve, when possible. Within the Latinx culture, family structure is clearly delineated. I was able to see this first had within the school district I am employed. Our student population is 95% Hispanic. Many decisions needing to be made, are put on hold, until the mother can discuss with the father, who has the final say. The father is typically the primary authority figure. I also learned from my female middle school students, in their culture the older children are expected to care for and protect their younger siblings; older sisters often function as surrogate. Sue & Sue, 2019, is true in pointing out these facts. Conclusion To encapsulate the need to be culturally competent, we must hold to Proverbs 11:30, he who wins souls must be wise. It is not only important to know and understand our biases and prejudices, but also to be aware of the strengths and challenges of the diverse cultures we will seek to help as counselees. Think like Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 9:19-23, as counselors we are going to be required to change elements of our approach when needed. Having the awareness, knowledge, and skills requires allows us to become all things to all people, for the sake of the gospel. As pastoral counselors, the ultimate goal is to bring the counselee close enough to God, so that the Holy Spirit can do his work. While counseling people from many diverse cultures and backgrounds, we must at all times maintain active listening. There portrait may start to look and sound similar to yours, even though you are a counselor, because the Apostle Paul reminds us in I Corinthians 6:11, that such were some of us; but we are washed, but we are sanctified, but we are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. We are just one Lord for me, from a sentence of death. The wages of sin of death. So, in our counseling, no matter what the culture, me must be willing to share God’s grace at all cost.
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