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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