Multicultural Theories of Psychology
Multicultural Theories of Psychotherapy
Diagnosis, treatment and care of patient and their conditions are greatly influenced by cultural considerations. These actors determine beliefs and values related to health. Yet, these widespread claims about the real value of cultural role in healthcare do not come with sufficient research basis. Psychotherapists have, for a long time emphasized the need to provide multicultural psychotherapy so as to manage and reduce the ethnic and racial disparities in dealing with mental health issues. How multicultural competencies relate with other clinical process measures and treatment results has demonstrated heterogeneity it effect, though (Karen W. Tao & Jesse Owen, 2015). A famous quote by Slavoj Zizek on multi-culturalism deserves a mention here. "For the multiculturalist, white Anglo-Saxon Protestants are prohibited, Italians and Irish get a little respect, blacks are good, native Americans are even better. The further away we go, the more they deserve respect. This is a kind of inverted, patronizing respect that puts everyone at a distance"[footnoteRef:1] [1: Slavoj Zizek is a Slovenian psychoanalytic philosopher, cultural critic, and Hegelian Marxist. He is a senior researcher at the Institute for Sociology and Philosophy at the University of Ljubljana, Global Distinguished Professor of German at New York University. Zizek's idiosyncratic style, popular academic works, frequent magazine op-eds, and critical assimilation of high and low culture have gained him international influence and a substantial audience outside of academia in addition to controversy and criticism.]
Basic Components of Theory
Multicultural counseling entails the interaction that occurs between a professional counselor and a client from a cultural group that is different from the counselor's, and how such interaction might be affected by the differing cultural perspectives. The definition includes the differences in religious views, sexual orientation, maturity, age, gender, socio-economic status, history of the families and geographical location. The main components of the theory are highlighted as (FIVE IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING COMPETENCIES, 2014).
i. Recognizing Cultural Differences
Discussing the cause of the visit is one of the first things that a counselor discusses with a client. The western style approach through direct interrogation of the problem is incompatible a good number of cultures across the globe. The technique entails the use of direct eye contact, body language, and open-ended questions. It has been noted that recognizing cultural differences and responding to them in sensitive way is a crucial element in effective counseling (FIVE IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING COMPETENCIES, 2014).
ii. Role of Self
Open mindedness, and willingness to expand to expand one's education is an effective strategy towards the goal of successfully working with clients. Self-awareness is a continuous practice that allows one to accommodate new knowledge and apply it for the benefit of the profession and clients (FIVE IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING COMPETENCIES, 2014).
iii. Contextualism
The concept refers to the tendency to describe the self and others by applying more context relevant references and as little dispositional ones as possible (Lillian Comas-Diaz, 2012). Therefore, contextualizing multicultural individuals are bound by context. They apply their perspective to analyze their reality.
iv. Liberation
Liberation and freedom are basic humanistic values. Multicultural therapy promotes freedom, both personally and collectively. One liberates oneself by liberating other people. It is a collective effort. Healing and liberation requires committing to social justice. Therefore, multicultural therapists apply liberation techniques (Lillian Comas-Diaz, 2012).
Multicultural Competencies
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