Characteristics of a Culturally

Competent Counselor:

1. Awareness of his/her
own assumptions,
values and biases.
Characteristics of a Culturally
Competent Counselor:

2. Understanding of the world

view of a culturally different
client.

3. An ability to develop
appropriate intervention
strategies and techniques.
8.
Constructing Culturally Appropriate Techniques and Strategies

Implies a nonhierarchical relationship between counselor

and client.

Counselors modify their techniques and strategies to fit the

client rather than making the client fit the therapy.

Takes into consideration that what may be appropriate for

one client in one cultural context may be inappropriate for
another client in another cultural context.

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Feminist therapy utilizes:
Egalitarian relationships Active, participatory counseling
Pluralism style
An external emphasis Information giving
Use of community resources Personal validation

Adds the concept of “power”

missing in other theories.
Works within a community
context.
Integrates community relationships and community into
family therapy.

Can include the nuclear family, extended family, important

neighbors, and key figures from the community (priest,
teacher, the police etc.)

One focus is to help the client build meaningful community

and interpersonal relationships to foster positive mental
well-being.

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Points to Remember with Network Therapy

Don’t expect to do it all yourself. Network therapy utilizes

a treatment team.

Use multiple theoretical approaches. Different theories

may be beneficial at different times with the same client.

Consider the value of network treatment for all clients.

People do not live in vacuums and their issues or problems
affect others around them.

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The multicultural treatment of choice is often family therapy.
Family is defined culturally and the roles, relationships and rules can
be different among and between cultures.
Cultural expectations play a role in every family and group experience.
A significant component of our self-concept is derived from our ethnic
heritage.
Ethnic heritage also can shape our attitudes and beliefs.

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Usually based on the epistemology and belief system of the
culture.

Traditional healers have always included family and the

larger community in treatment. As Western theories begin to
do so also, these two approaches are becoming closer.

It is important not to adopt traditional

practices without first consulting
with the host culture to show the
proper respect for their traditions.

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Freire’s Five Levels of Consciousness:
Naïve consciousness: Blame for oneself for one’s condition.

Identification with the oppressor: The oppressed find within

the oppressor their model of “personhood.”

Anger: As one discovers one’s level of oppression, one

becomes angry.

Reflection on the self as a cultural being: This leads to action.

Sees self-in-system:
Personal identity is made by the self
in relation to…

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Religion/Spirituality
Sexuality Identity
Ethnic/Racial Identity
Trauma
Language
Location of Residence
Economic Class
Psychological Maturity
Chronological Challenges
Family History
Unique Psychical Characteristics

Identify your own level of cultural identity in

relationship to each of the above concepts.

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