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Personal Competencies Paper: Open Eyes

Open Eyes
A piece on personal multicultural
counselling competencies and
experiencing cultural awareness

Domain I: Cultural Self-Awareness

My humbling & empowering experiences

Based on Collins and Arthurs (2010) core

competencies

for

cultural

self-awareness,

entered this course with a fairly solid self-

Molly Hayes
University of Lethbridge
Instructor: Noella Piquette
April 19, 2014

assessed foundation for cultural self-awareness. I

Introduction

multiculturalism, diversity, and social justice

held

(and

empathetic

In order to appropriately convey the

still

do)

attitudes

non-judgmental
and

beliefs

and
about

and confidently call on my education and early

profound educational experiences I have gained

job

from participating in the course Counselling

competency skills and knowledge. As a frontline

Diverse Clients, I have decided to submit an

child and youth care worker in many diverse

informal paper intentionally written like a

settings and currently a special educational

newspaper editorial. To effectively address my

assistant in a highly diverse elementary school,

self-evaluated

counselling

other self-assessed strengths included dominant

competencies, I have used Collins and Arthurs

and non-dominant group experiences and the

(2010) competency domains as headings within

ethical

the article. I have addressed my competency

individuals. Despite having great respect and

growth by comparing my level of understanding

acceptance for diversity, prior to this course, I

and experience prior to taking the course

viewed

Counselling Diverse Clients (from here on

members of the non-dominant culture. As a

referred to as this course or the course) to

visible member of the dominant group, I was

my

have

skeptical of the content of my cultural identity. I

provided reflections on the impact that my

thought, I dont think I have culture, but if I do,

academic learning has had on my personal and

it doesnt have much substance! I wasnt

professional lives with significant reference to

convinced that multicultural competency was

the areas of the course that were particularly

necessary for working with all individuals nor

relevant to me as a counselling student. As a

did I believe that all counselling interactions

conclusion,

were cultural either.

areas

of

multicultural

improved

have

knowledge.

outlined

professional

experience

for

counselling

culture

as

some

treatment

something

multicultural

of

diverse

reserved

for

development plan that addresses the areas that

Before this course, my idea of culture was

require attention in order for me to be more

rooted in nationality, ethnicity, language and

culturally competent, and how I intend to go

religion. However, by taking the suggestions of

about increasing my self-awareness and cultural

the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)

knowledge.

(2000),

the

Canadian

Counselling

and

Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) (2007), and

Collins and Arthur (2010) to adopt a broader

Personal Competencies Paper: Open Eyes

definition of culture, I was able to find my own

in other aspects), and then some grade one

cultural identity, recognize how this identity

students that I work with (majority are first-

influences my perspective on the world and

generation

others and how it impacts my ability to work

dominant). My informal culture broaching

with others. As a result of seeing culture as

(Day-Vines, Wood, Grothaus, Craigen, Holman,

multidimensional, I have become increasingly

Dotson-Blake, & Douglass, 2007) provided me

aware of how many social and workplace

with a venue to challenge my own beliefs about

interactions have been very easy for me to

culture. The biggest lesson I learned from my

navigate because I fit in. I nervously wondered

unofficial research was that many adults I know

about how this figurative all access card makes

are ethnocentric and sometimes fail to accept

me look to others, specifically those from non-

and respect cultural diversity. I realized that

dominant groups. Am I seen as arrogant?

being a visible member of the dominant group

Unaware? Intimidating?

comes with a reputation of being discriminatory

Canadians

and

ethnically

non-

Prior to this course, I hadnt considered

and prejudicial of other cultures. I find myself

gender to be an aspect of cultural identity. As it

thinking about certain behaviours I see at work

turns out, being a woman is a distinct element of

(both student and staff) and think, Wheres the

my own identity. Generally speaking, being a girl

culture? For example, the school I work at

and a woman in the dominant group has awarded

teaches many English language learners, many

me with many positive experiences and has

of which are new to Canada. One student in my

rarely been a permanent barrier. I also have

class has recently moved from the Philippines

many easily accessible tools that can be used to

and spends most of his school day with his head

dispel

discriminatory

on his desk, refusing to participate in learning

situations, such as supportive social and familial

activities. Some teachers find his behaviour to be

allies, education, confidence, and various other

defiant and have voiced concerns that his family

personal

and

is failing to support language learning in the

articulation; sexism is no match for mein my

home. Recognizing that most staff at my school

world. Applying a broad definition of culture to

are Canadian-born and visible members of the

my own identity has allowed me to examine my

dominant group allowed me to understand

role as a woman in professional and personal

another dimension of my students perceived

settings. I may not be viewed in the positive and

apathy; maybe its more about who we are and

strong manner in which I view myself.

what we represent (cultural change).

any

prejudicial

qualities

like

or

assertiveness

Seeing myself as a cultural being made it

Reflecting on the ethical practice of

easier for me to talk to others about culture. I

multicultural counselling reminded me of how

started by asking my parents how they would

culture can impact ones perspective. Because

define their cultural identities (one is Canadian-

my cultural identity is largely representative of

born and the other Irish-born), I then moved on

the dominant culture, my worldview default

to some coworkers (all Catholic but multicultural

setting

is

biased.

In

order

to

effectively

Personal Competencies Paper: Open Eyes

understand the perspective of others, I need to

Despite valuing gender equality, I know

disable and rebuild my perspective in a way that

far less about what its like to be a man than I do

leaves room for critical examination. Learning

about experiences unique to women. Learning

about the counselling experiences of Aboriginal

about counselling men was a highly rewarding

clients uncovered biases and prejudice and

experience for me. The pressures of gender role

brought up feelings of defensiveness and guilt.

expectations and gender stereotypes that affect

Part of who I am has been constructed by the

the well-being of men allowed me to re-examine

world I live in; it affects my perspective and how

some of my fathers experiences as an Irish

others see me. I might not feel dominating but

immigrant living and raising children in Canada;

being a part of the dominant group gives me a

the pressure to provide for his family was

power that I am often unaware of. My newly

complicated by elements of culture shock and

discovered cultural identity has empowered me

contributed to his acculturation experiences.

to examine, challenge, and recognize cultural

From a professional perspective, learning about

aspects of the way I live my life. The process of

counselling boys allowed me to look carefully at

self-discovery has been humbling; I know enough

how the educational system I work within

about myself and culture to know that there may

supports

always be more to learn.

stereotypes for boys who are members of the

Domain II: Cultural Awareness of

Others
How I learned to hold hypotheses lightly

I used to proudly declare I dont see

colour, I always let other people teach me about
their cultures, and I dont make assumptions.
I obliviously thought that going in blind was the
best way to avoid unintentional racism, and
remain as respectful as possible. Respect is

cultural. In order to be a good student of another

persons cultural experiences, I need to get an
education about what respect means in that
persons culture. My problem wasnt that I
necessarily held cultural assumptions but that I
didnt I chose to deliberately ignore any cultural
lessons that my personal and professional
experience allowed me to learn. This semester,
my learning within the domain of cultural
awareness of others was how to develop and hold
cultural hypotheses appropriately.

gender

role

expectations

and

dominant culture and for those who are engaging

in

their

own

acculturation

process.

Consequently, I have become critical of policies

and recommendations made by the educational
organization I work for that reflect gender
biases, support stereotypes, and are culturally
insensitive.
A concept of cultural awareness of others
that I found to be particularly relevant as a
counselling student was acculturation as a

process

rather

Learning

that

than

an

accomplishment.

biculturalism,

assimilation,

segregation and integration are all acculturation

strategies (Sam & Berry, 2010) allowed me to

understand

the

unique

experiences

of

immigrants, refugees, and second-generation

Canadians. Similarly, seeing

culture

as

an

exchange between people (Fields, 2010), rather

than a concrete possession, allowed me to see
how cultural identities can change over time and

Personal Competencies Paper: Open Eyes

are open to influence. Fields (2010) notion of

establishment

cultural exchange is particularly interesting to

individually realistic framework of wellness.

my learning of the counselling experiences of

lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual
(LGBTT) individuals who often have to adjust
their behaviours and thoughts in order to safely
navigate the situations in the dominant culture.
The challenging and positive experiences of
many LGBTT individuals showcase the fluidity of
cultural identity and enrich my broad definition
of culture.

wellness and illness has allowed me to reconsider

the cultural expressions of some of my students.
Learning about the cultural value of balance, and
to

biculturalism

in

Aboriginal

communities (Blue, Darou, & Ruano, 2010) has

given me a deeper understanding of the reclusive
behaviour of one of my Aboriginal students. Blue,
Darou, and Rauno (2010) wrote that some
Aboriginal students deal with stress by reducing
their activity level. I work occasionally with two
Aboriginal

students

who

have

been

recommended for one-on-one learning because

their teacher sees them as defiantly apathetic in
the classroom. Although I know that Blue, Darou,
and Raunos (2010) statement is not intended to
be a generalization, understanding this cultural
tendency allowed me to work effectively with
these

particular

Aboriginal

students.

The

expectations set for students, such as active

participation

in

the

class,

are

pervasively

ethnocentric. My psychology background also

holds cultural biases in its descriptions of
change,

culturally-sensitive

and

Domain III: Culturally-Sensitive

Working Alliance
Are we speaking the same language?
In
establish

the
and

past,

havent

maintain

struggled

positive

to

working

relationships with others who are culturally

different than me. I live in a large multicultural
city, attended a high school where I was a
statistic minority as a white student, and have
enjoyed many jobs working with diverse people.

Recognizing the cultural nature of mental

challenge

of

healing,

Multicultural

wellness

competence

and

struggle.

reflects

the

Although my official counselling experience is

limited, I am fairly comfortable learning about
another

persons

perspective

through

their

expression of experiences and I am happy to

allow another person to be the expert (Hiebert,
2005). Collaborating with others to promote the
best interests of the group or an individual is a
process that I am comfortable and familiar with
in my personal life (as a team sport athlete) and
in my work life (as an educational assistant with
management

experience

in

non-profit

organizations). There is a huge potential for

clients and counsellors to exchange cultural
information, and misunderstand each other
while attempting to establish mutual trust and
respect and collaborate on therapeutic goals and
tasks. Knowing that building a working alliance
starts with a first-impression (Alczar Oln,
Deffenbacher, Hernndez, Sharma, & De la
Chausse, 2010), and that the counsellor holds
much of the responsibility for the establishment
and maintenance of the working alliance, there is
an increased importance for counsellors to be
dedicated to ongoing cultural self-awareness and
cultural knowledge of others.

Personal Competencies Paper: Open Eyes

Recognizing my own cultural identity

flexible in my planning in order to allow my own

gave me a greater understanding of the cultural

identity to be influenced by others as a way to

identities of others and in turn has allowed me to

display acceptance. Walking the multicultural

take

when

talk may have given me some important street

intentionally engaging in respectful encounters

cred amongst my students; or as learned in this

with others. In a previous job, I facilitated

course, maybe I was just not right for the job.

into

account

leadership

program

cultural

sessions

factors

for

Aboriginal

Studying

the

role

of

religion

and

youth a few times during the school year. My

spirituality in a culturally-sensitive working

experiences

often

alliance uncovered one of my biggest competency

challenging and stressful. All of the techniques I

weaknesses. Similar to my go-to technique of

used

engaging

going in blind, I used to consider myself to be a

environment with my other groups didnt seem

religious and spiritual blank slate; open to the

to work. As a result of this course, I realize that

impressions of others with no preconceived

seeking common ground by using my tools was

notions. I enjoy talking with peers about religion

probably a misguided venture and reflected a

and spirituality and I consider myself to be

failure to understand my own cultural identity as

accepting and respectful of others beliefs.

well as the cultural experiences of the program

However,

participants. Had I considered including more

figuratively wipe the slate clean for the next

culturally-informed tools, such as involving

conversation, to avoid making assumptions.

traditional

have

Being unable to apply my knowledge of others

allowed me to take better responsibility for the

beliefs to social or professional situations reflects

experiences of the young people who were forced

an area of potential weakness in my counselling

to spend a couple of hours with me and allowed

work. I might be comfortable asking about

me

someones beliefs, but I am not as comfortable

to

to

with

create

healers

establish

this

program

positive

or

and

methods,

respectful

were

may

and

trusting

relationships.

following

each

conversation

including it in the therapeutic process. I would

From my experience, establishing mutual

struggle to collaborate on culturally sensitive

respect and trust allows counsellors and clients

counselling tasks and goals and therefore I have

to collaborate on the goals and tasks. Looking

a need for personal work in the areas of religion

back on my experience with my Aboriginal youth

and spirituality.

group, I realize why my activities rarely worked

out: 1. They didnt respect me, 2. I didnt trust
that they would respond to any activity I
planned because they didnt respect me, and 3. I
didnt do much research on what tasks might
have cultural implications nor did I leave much
room for the salient nature of cultural identities.
In hindsight, I probably should have been more

A Summary of My Competencies

Solid areas & ones that need extra work

Through the use of Collins and Arthur
(2010)

multicultural

competencies

recommendations, I can summarize my current

strengths as being mostly in the attitudes, beliefs
and knowledge categories, whereas my biggest
weaknesses are in skill application. My most

Personal Competencies Paper: Open Eyes

significant learning experiences occurred when I

impact of other factors unrelated to

discovered my cultural self. Recognizing the

culture

importance of culture in my own life, allowed me

Domain III: Culturally-Sensitive Working

to better acknowledge the cultural identities of

Alliance

others. Recognizing that my weaknesses reside

Get an education on how to appropriately

in the skills section, I am eager to engage myself

communicate empathy in culturally-

in professional situations where I can gain

specific and respectful ways

knowledge and access to skill development.

Learn more about other methods or

Specific competencies suggested by Collins and

approaches to building an effective

Arthur (2010) that require the most attention in

working alliance

order to improve my multicultural competence

Gain a better understanding of how to

include:

counsellors can work as social justice

Domain 1: Cultural Self-Awareness

advocates

Close examination of differences between

my

self

and

discomfort,

others

that

specifically

cause

religion

me
and

Learn

more

Western

about

holistic

approaches

to

and

non-

counselling

someone who admires it from a far. Learning

that I am most comfortable with

identities of others influenced by non-dominant,

Learn

dominant, or both elements has taught me to

more

about

how

oppression,

discrimination, and stereotyping affect me

open my eyes, learn a lot, and apply a little. The

personally and professionally

following professional development plan was

Gain experience in multicultural work in

designed to allow me to address my identified

order to gain more confidence in assessing

areas of needed improvement while maintaining

my cultural competence

a commitment to continued self-growth; to keep

Learn how to collaborate with clients

relying

on

them

to

provide

education about basic cultural knowledge

Identify the psychosocial health problems
that commonly affect various nondominant populations and describe the
cultural nature of symptom display
-

person who experiences culture, not just

more about the cultural experiences and

without

The experience of engaging in cultural

psychology in order to adapt approaches

Domain II: Cultural Awareness of Others

-

Where to go from here

self-discovery has been eye opening. I am now a

spirituality
-

Professional Development Plan

Maintain an appropriate balance between

focusing on culture and recognizing the

my eyes open.

Personal Competencies Paper: Open Eyes

Engage in
examination of differences
between myself and others
that cause me discomfort.

Equipped with cultural selfawareness tools, gaining

exposure to various cultural
situations and allowing time for
personal reflection will
increase my cultural selfawareness. Specific cultural
situations that I am interested
in include dominant and nondominant

Learn how to
collaborate with clients
without relying on them to
provide education about basic
cultural knowledge.

Learn more
about holistic and nonWestern approaches to
counselling psychology
in order to adapt
approaches that I am
most comfortable with.

Learn more about

how oppression,
discrimination, and
stereotyping affect me
personally and professionally.


In order to learn more about

Increase my exposure to
various healing methods
by attending information
workshops. I am
specifically interested in

I will seek professional

resources and engage in
personal social conversations
to increase my cultural selfawareness.

Identify the
psychosocial health problems
that commonly affect various
non- dominant populations
and describe the cultural
nature of symptom display.

Maintain an
appropriate balance between
focusing on culture and
recognizing the impact of other
factors unrelated to culture.

As I continue to gain comfort in

talking about culture with
others, I will get better at
recognizing relevance of
cultural factors. I am eager to
engage myself in more cultural
conversations to get practice.

I work primarily with

In order to correct my habit of

allowing others to be my
primary teacher about culture,
I will engage in personal
awareness work. Additionally, I
will continue to increase my
knowledge of other cultures.

students and their families.

Getting educated on culturespecific display of mental
wellness would improve my
awareness and contribute to
my professional competence.

Learn more about

other methods or approaches
to building an effective
working alliance.

Get an education
on how to appropriately
communicate empathy in
culturally-specific and

I work primarily with

Gain a better
understanding of how to
counsellors can work as social
justice advocates

students and their families.
Although my interactions with
students and families have
been fairly positive, I would like
to improve my competence and
consequently my professional
relationships by gaining a
better understanding of the
cultural nature of respect
within these cultural
influences.

I am comfortable taking a
social advocacy role however,
in order to increase my ability
to maintain culturallysensitive working alliances, I
need to get more information
and increase my exposure to
social advocacy realms.

I look forward to the remaining

aspects of my current
educational endeavours; I
suspect I will continue to gain
knowledge and experience
pertaining to the development
of effective working alliances.
Additionally, I will engage in
conversations with
professional resources (other
counsellors) available to me.

Personal Competencies Paper: Open Eyes

Hiebert, B. (2005). Creating a working alliance:

References

Generic interpersonal skills and conflicts.

Retrieved from

Alczar Oln, R. J., Deffenbacher, J. L.,

Hernndez Guzmn, L., Sharma, B., & De la

http://drr.lib.athabascau.ca/files/psyc/405/bhieb
ert.pdf

Chausse Acua, M. E. (2010). The impact of

perceived therapists characteristics on patients
decision to return or not for more sessions.

International Journal of Psychology and

Psychological Therapy, 10, 415-426.

Sam, D. L., & Berry, J. W. (2010). Acculturation

when individuals and groups of different cultural
backgrounds meet. Perspectives on

Psychological Science, 5(4), 472-481. doi:

10.1177/1745691610373075

Blue, A., Darou,W., & Ruano, C. (2010). Chapter

11 Engaging the Elder Within: Bridging and
Honouring the Cultural Spaces in Counselling
with First Nations. In N. Arthur & S. Collins
(Eds.), Culture-infused counselling. Calgary, AB:
Counselling Concepts.
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy
Association (2007). Code of ethics. Retrieved
from http://www.ccpaaccp.ca/_documents/CodeofEthics_en_new.pdf
Canadian Psychological Association. (2000).

Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists.

Retrieved from
http://www.cpa.ca/cpasite/userfiles/Documents/
Canadian%20Code%20of%20Ethics%20for%20Ps
ycho.pdf

Collins, S. & Arthur, N. (2010). Chapter 3
Culture-Infused Counselling: A Framework for
Multicultural Competence In N.Arthur &
S.Collins (Eds.), Culture-infused counselling.
Calgary, AB: Counselling Concepts.
Day-Vines, N., Wood, S., Grothaus, T., Craigen, L.,
Holman, A., Dotson-Blake, K., &
Douglass, M. (2007) Broaching the subjects of
race, ethnicity, and culture during the
counseling process. Journal of Counseling &
Development, 85(3), 402 410.
Fields, A, (2010). Multicultural research and
practice: Theoretical issues and maximizing
cultural exchange. Psychology: Research and

Practice, 41(3), 196-210. DOI:

10.1037/a0017938