Verified Document

Multiculturalism In Counseling Theories Chapter

Counseling Alternatives in Modern Times There are certainly several benefits to counseling theories that consist of contemporary, multicultural, and Biopsychosocial counseling and its integration. However, since each of these respective types of counseling theories focus on a particular aspect of psychology and counseling, there are also drawbacks to them as well. Perhaps the true strength in each of these theories lies in their integration -- both with one another and with other theories in general.

The most salient positive associated with multicultural counseling theories and integration is the emphasis they place on one's cultural identity. As such, clinicians are supposed to help cultivate a client's cultural identity -- which greatly pertains to his or her ethnicity, socio-economic status, religion, and other eminent cultural factors. Another boon associated with this approach is that it considers the client as a unique individual, one whose identity "is embedded in multiple levels of experience and context" Sue, 1995, p. 647). This focus on individuality and cultural factors is certainly a relief for clients' historic minority background which might not fit into the typecast and socio-cultural considerations of Westernization that founded some of the classic theories in psychological...

The drawbacks associated with this theory pertain to the expectations of the clinician, which typically requires some sort of experience and understanding of a vast number of cultures -- at least those of his or her clients -- to help shape their identities. This drawback would likely present the biggest challenging to an emerging counselor who is not well versed in different cultures. I can help my student or supervisee to overcome this obstacle by providing consultation on a need to know basis about the nuances of various cultures, sine I have a fair amount of experience in this regard.
The pros of Biopsychosocial theory and its integration pertain to the holistic approach that characterizes this form of counseling. It is beneficial that it goes beyond mere biological and psychological points of consideration for the trauma or issues that a client is undergoing, and considers the social causes as well (Borrell-Carrio et al., 2004, p. 576). In this respect, this approach utilizes a three-dimensional methodology for considering the needs of client, which is certainly useful for those who are influenced by social factors. Again, the detriments of this methodology are that it requires the clinician to have a greater range of understanding about the factors affecting a client than…

Sources used in this document:
References

Banks, J.A., Banks, C.A., McGee, E. (1995). Sue, D.S. Toward a theory of multicultural counseling and therapy. In Handbook of Research on Multicultural Education. New York: MacMillan Publishing.

Borrell-Carrio, F., Suchman, A.L., Epstein, R.M. (2004). The Biopsychosocial model 25 years later: Principles, practice and scientific inquiry. www.annfammed.org / Retrieved from http://www.annfammed.org/content/2/6/576.full
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Postmodern Approaches in Counseling Theory
Words: 1372 Length: 5 Document Type: Essay

Counseling Theory: Postmodern Approaches Counseling orientation has experienced paradigm shifts over the decades from traditional pioneering theories such as cognitive theory, psychoanalysis, and humanism to the postmodernist theory. The rationale for the progression to postmodernism has been the evolving notion of a multiplicity of reality, a shift from modernist empiricism to constructivism (Shurts, 2015). The traditional counseling theorist considered counseling as a true mapping of the psychic phenomena depicting an accurate

Counseling Theory in Multi Cultural Context
Words: 1847 Length: 6 Document Type: Term Paper

Multicultural Counseling Approaches Used in the Application of the Family Systems Theory The purpose of this discussion is to explain the multicultural counseling approaches used in the application of the family systems theory. First we will define the Family Systems theory. Then the discussion will review three counseling approaches that utilize the theory in a multicultural context. These approaches will include family therapy, family literacy and cross cultural marriage workshops. Family Systems Theory Family

Amalgamation of Counseling Theories
Words: 4501 Length: 14 Document Type: Term Paper

Integrative Approach to Counseling The theories that the author will compare and contrast within this document include gestalt theory, choice theory and its practical application, reality therapy, and psychoanalytic therapy. There are definite points of similarity and variance between these theories. The natural starting point for comparison and contrasting lies with an analysis of gestalt theory and choice theory/reality therapy. Gestalt theory was largely founded by Frederick Perls (Wagner-Moore, 2004,

African American and Counseling
Words: 3343 Length: 11 Document Type: Term Paper

Morgan's Case Study Morgan is a bi-racial 16-year-old adolescent male whose mother is Japanese-American and the father is African-American. His parents divorced when he was 3 years old and have negative feelings towards each other even though they both love him. Morgan's parents have remarried and have children. He has very good relationships with his father, stepmother, and younger sisters but has struggled to have a good relationship with his mother

Graduate Students and Counseling
Words: 484 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

graduate students in counseling programs to learn theories? Graduate students in counseling programs are required to learn counseling theories because of their significance in the profession. It's important for graduate students in such programs to learn counseling theories for a variety of reasons. First, theory is the essential framework and building block for counselors in training (Lofrisco, 2013). Without having a solid foundation and understanding of theory, students in

Personal Theory of Career and
Words: 3731 Length: 12 Document Type: Term Paper

Gushue, Clarke, Pantzer, et al., (2006) examine the application of social cognitive theories to career counseling, reporting that self-efficacy is a pertinent issue in this process. In particular, these authors report that: Career decision making self-efficacy refers to the degree to which individuals feel confident in their ability to successfully engage in tasks associated with making a career choice and with commitment to a career. It has also been observed that

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now