Multicultural Therapy

Question 1

Multiculturalism

Answer 1

The appreciation and validating of diverse perspectives; all cultures have positive and enriching dimensions.

Question 2

How does Multicultural Theory explain how and why people develop psychopathology or problems of life?

Answer 2

Focuses primarily on social forces in understanding suffering and psychopathology. Multiculturalists are cautious when using standardized assessment instruments that presume the problem resides within the individual. Many cultures view human distress through a religious or philosophical lens.

Question 3

What are the multicultural competencies?

Answer 3

Multicultural competency is a process, not an outcome. Competencies include:

• Counselor Self-Awareness
• Counselor Knowledge of Client Worldview
• The Counseling Relationship: sensitivity to how power, culture, privilege and oppression might influence the therapeutic alliance.
• Culturally Appropriate Counseling and Advocacy Interventions

Question 4

How does one incorporate multicultural competencies into their practice?

Answer 4

Make cultural adaptations such as outside consultation or aligning with the client’s culture language and values.

Question 5

Skills of cross cultural competencies

Answer 5

• Scientific-mindedness: form and test hypotheses about clients, rather than jumping to conlcusions
• Dynamic sizing: Knowing when to apply general cultural knowledge to an individual
• Culture-specific expertise: acquiring and applying knowledge about one’s own culture and the client’s culture, without stereotyping

Question 6

Social justice

Answer 6

involves addressing issues of equity, power relations, and institutionalized oppression. Also includes goals for all people to be able to live with dignity, self-determination, and physical and psychological safety.

Question 7

Multicultural counseling

Answer 7

A helping role and a process that uses modalities and defines goals consistent with the life experiences and cultural values of diverse clients.

Question 8

Cultural self-awareness

Answer 8

Awareness of cultural background and biases

Question 9

Affirmative therapy

Answer 9

A relatively new approach to working with LGBTQ clients

Question 10

ADDRESSING

Answer 10

a model used to obtain comprehensive information about the many dimensions of client identities: Age and generational influences, Developmental disabilities, Disabilities acquired later in life, Religion and spiritual orientation, Ethnic and racial identity, Socioeconomic status, Sexual orientation, Indigenous heritage, National origin, Gender