Counseling and Helping Relationships (5/6)

Question 1

Person-Centered
Pros

Answer 1

• encourages open dialogue and breaking down of cultural barriers
• there is respect for other’s values and differences

Question 2

Person-Centered
Issues

Answer 2

• some clients want more structure than this theory provides and the core values may not be congruent with the client’s culture
• counselor’s lack of direction may not fit the client’s expectation for help with answers from a knowledgeable professional

Question 3

Existential
Issues

Answer 3

• may not be effective with multicultural clients who see themselves as having little personal choice and freedom
• clients may see this therapy as promoting values which conflict with collectivism and respect for tradition
• some may want answers and solutions with more focus on surviving in this world

Question 4

Existential
Pros

Answer 4

• may be most useful in helping clients find meaning and harmony in their lives as well as empowerment in an oppressive society
• assists clients to examine the options for change within their cultural reality

Question 5

Psychoanalytic
Pros

Answer 5

• focus on family dynamics may appeal to multicultural clients
• therapist’s formality may appeal to the client’s expectation of professional distance

Question 6

Psychoanalytic
Issues

Answer 6

• often requires long-term restructuring of personality, so may not be appropriate for many clients or counseling settings
• many clients want short-term, solution-oriented counseling

Question 7

Gestalt
Pros

Answer 7

• variety of techniques allows the counselor to choose those that fit the client
• different approaches allow for many different ways of working with clients who may have difficulty expressing feelings
• focus on nonverbals may be easier for some clients

Question 8

Gestalt
Issues

Answer 8

• many techniques have high stress on feelings, so may be difficult/inappropriate for multicultural clients, at least initially

Question 9

Behavior
Pros

Answer 9

• a collaborative relationship between the counselor and multicultural client aims for agreed-upon goals which suit the client’s unique situation
• focus is on learning practical skills and self-management strategies

Question 10

Behavior
Issues

Answer 10

• counselors must help clients incorporate their new behaviors into their cultural context, and be willing to address the consequences these new behaviors may lead to

Question 11

Cognitive-Behavior
Pros

Answer 11

• psychoeducational focus works well with multicultural clients in that it gets them to examine their cultural conflicts and teach new behaviors
• emphasis on thinking rather than on expressing feelings
• clients may value the active and directive approach of the therapist

Question 12

Cognitive-Behavior
Issues

Answer 12

• must understand and respect client’s world before appropriate ways of solving problems can be determined
• solutions presented may not be consistent with cultural beliefs
• because counselor has ‘solutions,’ clients may become dependent on the counselor

Question 13

Reality
Pros

Answer 13

• counselor explores how satisfying the client’s current situation is for themselves and others, so may work well in multicultural settings helping clients find a balance between their own ethnic identity and integrating some of the values and practices of the dominant society

Question 14

Reality
Issues

Answer 14

• cultural and environmental factors, as well as social and political realities must be recognized by the counselor
• clients may be more interested in changing their environment and circumstances than their own life

Question 15

Feminist
Pros

Answer 15

• therapy approaches are very compatible with multicultural clients
• issues of oppression and privilege are common to both and the use of power in relationships is often a concern for multicultural clients
• social change and individual empowerment may be a core issue

Question 16

Feminist
Issues

Answer 16

• this model may be biased toward values of white, middle-class women and may not fit many women of other cultures
• therapist must be aware of the consequences of some client actions and behaviors including potential isolation from extended family as life changes are made and new roles assumed

Question 17

Adlerian
Pros

Answer 17

• focus on ‘person-in-environment’ is helpful
• emphasis on collectivism, importance of family, social interest, belonging is consistent with values of many cultures

Question 18

Adlerian
Issues

Answer 18

• detailed focus on family background may conflict with cultural concerns in disclosing family matters
• therapist’s interest in joint, egalitarian process may be uncomfortable with clients who see the therapist as authority

Question 19

Postmodern approaches
Pros

Answer 19

• stories told in counseling can fit into the social world of clients
• therapists don’t make assumptions about people and their background
• take active role in challenging injustices leading to oppression of the client

Question 20

Postmodern approaches
Issues

Answer 20

• therapists’ interest in having their client talk about exceptions to their problems may lead to resistance
• clients may view therapists as experts and not see themselves as experts on their problem

Question 21

Family systems
Pros

Answer 21

• focus on family and community may fit in well with views of many clients about extended family
• networking is a part of the process and fits the values of having others in their support systems

Question 22

Family systems
Issues

Answer 22

• some value assumptions of family therapy may not be congruent with the clients of some cultures
• ex. individuation, self-actualization, self-determination may be foreign concepts/admitting family problems may be shameful