Examples Of Ethical Issues In Multicultural Counseling

Getting my new text and being filled with curiosity is always a great feeling prior to starting a class; Cultural Anthropology, such a foreign topic, so I thought. Once I began to read the first few chapters of the book I began to recognize words and details that I have previously been introduced too. Thinking back to when and what classes I have had the same experience, I recall Multicultural Counseling and Psychology. Stepping out my comfort zone is what really came to mind. Growing up in a society that has changed so much over the years you would think that I would be used to it; however, asking to look at your community with a different set of eyes is uncomfortable and brings feelings of disbelief most of the time.

I believe another key characteristic trait of a counselor is one who is culturally responsive to the diverse needs of the individuals we serve. The counseling profession would be inadequate if there were a lack personal awareness of the diverse multicultural groups that create the communities in which we live in (Brinson, J. A., & Lee, C. C., 2005). To be a competent counselor, a person must possess the ability to be nonjudgmental and communicate positive unconditional regard both on a cultural and personal level that is understandable to the individual. A culturally responsive counselor is cognizant of how his or her values, biases, and assumptions may impact a person's counseling experience of diverse cultural backgrounds. In that regard, an effective counselor is able to be cognizant of

Over time, society has become increasingly diverse and globally connected. In order to meet the needs of an interconnected society, the American Counseling Association (ACA) endorsed the creation of multicultural and social justice competencies (Ratts, Singh, Butler, Nassar-McMillan, & McCullough, 2016). The Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC) were developed in order to showcase the importance of integrating MSJCC into all aspects of the counseling profession. Originally, these competencies were geared more toward majority professionals working with minority clients. However, it has become more clear that the range of diversity is endless and it is not uncommon for privileged clients to be counseled by minority counseled (Ratts, et al., 2016).

Culturally appropriate counseling is important when forming the counselor-client relationship. Also, it is key that the counselor understands the client’s cultural characteristics, and is always in a continual process of self-reflection of their own socio-cultural beliefs and biases. This paper will discuss how generic counseling through the lens of culture, class and language and the how Native Americans/First Nations differ when using these same markers. This paper will also discuss the implications of Native Americans/First Nations cultural characteristics on counseling methods and advocacy.

The counseling profession has dealt in the past to prevent harm from clients but not as much as in the present. However, counseling training programs are emphasizing to students in training how to prevent harming a client due to a previous error in ethical judgments. Currently, counselors to this day are dealing with court cases based on making sound ethical judgments. However, some counselors fail to follow ACA and AMHCA due to their religious beliefs which could harm a client through withholding treatment. The ACA and AMHCA Ethical Codes demonstrate not only how counselors can prevent any harm to their clients but also indicates that counselors need to be culturally sensitive. Delgado-Romero, Forrest, and Lau (2012) depict that Ethnic Minority

Psychologists are expected to perform their duties ethically to culturally diverse clients. It is essential to remain culturally sensitive and at times psychologists have been questioned regarding how culturally sensitive they are. This is also mandated by ethics codes like the American Psychological Association. Using the APA Ethical Principles for Psychologists and Code of Conduct, I will review what I believe is culturally biased and culturally encapsulated. I will review one or more of the existing ethical codes and discuss the limitations of this code(s) for multicultural professional practice. Next I will see if there is

Sue and Sue (2016) identified that “interpersonal transactions between the counselor and the client require different approaches that are consistent with the client’s life experiences” (p. 58). This statement really resonated with me as I was reading through the literature on counseling specific cultural groups and it became evident to me that I lacked adequate knowledge on the diverse groups and how their cultural identity could impact the helping relationship. Through reading the literature on the groups, I was able to determine that the best strategy for improving my skill in counseling diverse individuals is actively seeking out knowledge on diverse cultural groups. With enhanced knowledge, I can further develop and then apply interventions and strategies that will elicit positive change in the client based on their cultural identity as well as their experiences, beliefs, and

It is important to be aware of one’s limitations, weaknesses and strengths in the delivery of counseling services. Taking into account the cultural values of the client, the support systems and the client’s view of the key parts of his or her makeup (the history of the client) are culture specific (because someone is of the same race does not mean that values will be the same) and does not discount the individual. Sue et al reminds us that multicultural counseling competency looks beyond racial and ethnic minorities and also includes disabilities, sexual orientation, age, and other special populations (Sue, et al, 1992).

The American population is becoming more and more diverse due to the rapid growth in immigration and the birth rates between diverse groups in the United States. The continued growth in the numbers of individuals and families from diverse backgrounds challenges counselors’ ability to meet the needs of a growing and diverse society. Multicultural competence is a key factor in enabling counselors to be effective with clients from different cultures. Multicultural competence means to approach the counseling process from the context of the personal culture of the client (Sue, Arrendondo & McDavis, 1994; Sue & Sue, 2007). In order to be effective when working with people with diverse cultural backgrounds, the American Counseling Association has

In the article “The relationship between mindfulness and multicultural counseling competence” the authors Ivers, Johnson, Clarke, Newsome, and Berry wanted to examine the implications of the association between Mindfulness and Multicultural Counseling Competence (MCC) on counselor’s education and practice. They describe MCC as the effectiveness of a counselor when providing therapy to a client from a different culture. A counselor who seeks information about other cultures is known to have multicultural knowledge, which will help him/her acquire multicultural awareness at the time of treating a client.

Below, I will discuss the results of a multicultural self-assessment that I took. I will describe a time in which I felt “other”. I will then proceed to explain my personal feelings regarding each. I will discuss a course of action I plan to take as a result of the multicultural assessment. I will develop a counseling identity statement. Finally, I will explain why multicultural awareness and cultural competency are important in the field of counseling.

Because multicultural counseling can have a myriad of people with different personalities and backgrounds, many ethical procedures cannot address all the circumstances that a counselor could come across. According to Diller (2011) it is critical when preparing to work with clients of a particular ethnic group by doing research into the group’s history, culture, and health issues (p. 320). This would include not only academic, professional, or web searches, but travel,

client, to move at her pace and to go to the places where she wanted

In the beginning of the course I had very little knowledge about the theories in multicultural counseling. I knew that it was centrally focused around social justice and equality but I didn’t know there were theories that pertained to specific ethnic minorities. I also learned that there isn’t a one size fits all theory. What I learned was that each model needs to be unique to the client and very well rounded; it should include a specific goal(s), describe the process, “have both aspects of cognition and emotion, and include justice and equity as well.” (Jun 2010) I have learned that as a multicultural counselor you have to be very aware and mindful of your thoughts and actions. I learned that there is a lot that is integrated into multicultural counseling and it isn’t cut and dry. There are varieties of concepts, such as being aware of oppression, continuous self-reflection, awareness of impact that a multicultural counselor can have on an individual, etc. (Jun, 2010)

To expand upon Sue and Sue’s (2003) three primary categories of awareness, knowledge, and skill that are foundational to practicing culturally competent counseling, I believe for myself I will need to further process, explore, and ultimately find peace with multicultural issues I have encountered in my life and continue to struggle with. Often times I don’t like to go there with myself in my thoughts, feelings, and words because it makes me feel weak, less than, or other. My personal negative experiences of being pigeonholed a deviant when it comes to sexual orientation and variant with gender roles by society at large is something I am constantly reminded of and experiencing. Living as I am in a heteronormative society that operates with a sexual dichotomy has an