xUnit 4

Question 1

Diversity issues facing professional counsellors

Answer 1

growing cultural diversity and its implications
differences between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations in Canada (with regard to counselling)

1) the need to avoid cultural blindness,
2) socioeconomic status is both a cultural and non-cultural variable.

Question 2

Nancy Arthur & Sandra Collins

Answer 2

Developed their own model: culture-infused counselling, also includes social justice competencies

Addresses criticisms that the US Multicultural Counselling Competencies (1992) does not sufficiently address the importance of the working alliance.

Question 3

A. R. Fischer

Answer 3

proposed four conditions common to any type of counselling
treatment (multicultural):
1. the therapeutic relationship,
2. a shared worldview between client and counsellor,
3. client expectations for positive change, and
4. interventions believed by both client and counsellor to be a means of healing

Question 4

J. McFadden

Answer 4

model is a transcultural perspective that focuses
on three primary dimensions counsellors must master:
1. the cultural–historical, where counsellors must possess knowledge of a client’s culture;
2. the psychosocial, where counsellors must come to understand the client’s ethnic,
racial, and social group’s performance, speeches, and behaviours in order to communicate
meaningfully; and
3. the scientific–ideological, where counsellors must use appropriate counselling
approaches to deal with problems related to regional, national, and international
environments.

Addresses issue in multicultural counselling is the development and employment of counselling theories. Cultural bias is present in majority and minority counsellors and in the past has spilled over into counselling theories.

Question 5

Aboriginal identity

Answer 5

o Should find a spiritual connection with them (understand white privilege and move past it)
o Understand their realities (impact of the past, worldview)
o Be flexible in structuring counselling
o Build a connection with them
o Be very cautious with humor and allow clients to vent their anger in a safe manner.
o Tradition medical practices on pg. 98-99

Question 6

2) acculturation
3) over-culturalizing
4) cultural-historical dimension
5) cultural mosaic
6) culturally encapsulated counsellor
7) culture-infused counselling competence

Answer 6

2)  The process by which a group of people gives up old ways to adopt new ones
- important for treatment
3) A failure to distinguish differences arising from cultural backgrounds versus poverty or deprived status 
4)
5)
6)
7)The integration of attitudes, beliefs, knowledge, & skills for awareness of the impact of culture on a person (assumptions, values, beliefs, understanding of world)

3 core competencies
· Culture self-awareness
· Awareness of a client cultural differences
· Culturally sensitive working alliance

Question 7

emic vs. etic perspective

Answer 7

*counselling approaches must be designed for a specific culture
vs.
universal qualities exist in counselling that are culturally generalizable

Common Condition:
1) therapeutic relationship
2) shared worldview between client and counsellor
3) client expectation for positive change
4) interventions that both believe are a means of healing 

Question 8

ethnocentrism
ethnographic variables

Question 9

multicultural counselling

Answer 9

Counselling in which the counsellor and client differ.
Defined in codes as “non-discriminatory“ or a “respect for diversity”

Culturally encapsulated counselors, disregard cultural differences

AMCD

Question 10

psychosocial dimension

Question 11

scientific-ideological dimension

Answer 12

status variables vs. demographic variables

Question 13

What is the “worldview” of the counsellor? Why is it important?

Answer 13

worldview is the basic beliefs that guide the way someone relates to the world
A counsellor will have been affected by all their experiences, understanding what these are is important to not impose and to be able to understand where others come from when talking.

Question 14

In what ways do diversity issues, such as ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation, affect a counsellor’s effectiveness?

Answer 14

Comment: Answers should explore ideas related to concepts of ethnocentrism, selective perception, bias, objectivity, and stereotyping. Even when counsellors meet clients with similar backgrounds to one another, it is important that they remain open to individual differences. Moreover, if counsellors assume that they understand, they may deny their clients one of the most therapeutic outcomes of counselling—the opportunity to tell one’s story.

depending on the clients values, religion, traditions will depend on how to approach treatment. some cultures place blame for bad events on spirits and therefore if they’re ideals are not accounted for they will likely just terminate their counselling.

Question 15

Define Culture.

Answer 15

Culture =any group of people who identify/associate with another on the basis of a common purpose, need, or similarity of background. It structures behavior, thoughts, perceptions, values, beliefs, learned experiences, goals, morals, cognitive processes 
3 Variables to culture
Ethnographic: ethnicity, nationality, religion, language
Demographic: age, gender, place of residence
Status: Social, economic, educational background, Memberships and affiliations 

May be defined as physical features, or common history and philosophy

Question 16

Pedersen (1995) says, “Counsellors who presume that they are free of racism seriously underestimate the impact of their own socialization” (p. 197). Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Answer 16

Comment: This very interesting and provocative quote assumes that we are all subject to some racism, however subtle. With this in mind, the personal challenge becomes “How does racism impact my work?” —not “Does it?”

Question 17

Describe two potential concerns and issues involved in providing counselling services to clients of the opposite gender (as the counsellor). How do these concerns and issues differ when counselling clients of your own gender? Examine your own position with regard to issues of sexual orientation in the counselling relationship.

Question 18

Do you believe that people from lower SES face cultural barriers? Support your position.

Answer 18

Culture =any group of people who identify/associate with another on the basis of a common purpose, need, or similarity of background

SES can be viewed as a culture, which the face little insurance/money to get help, often are in poorer areas that have value different things than higher SES places

Question 19

Difficulties in Multicultural Counselling

Issues in…

Answer 19

1) over-culturalizing
2) racism
3) continuum of acculturation
——
1) dominance of theories based on European/North American cultural values 
2) sensitivity to cultures (knowledge of worldview, self-awareness or view and cultural conditioning, skills)
3) understanding for cultural systems operate and influence behaviour
4) effective counselling
5) Dev and use of counselling theories

Question 20

Worldwide theories

Answer 20

1) Adlerian
2) transactional analysis (TA)
3) reality therapy

Question 21

History of First Nations

Answer 21

-status/non-status/metis
-Originally 56 nations & 30+ languages
-past pains: loss of ancestral lands, desire for self-determination, conflicts values of mainstream Canadian culture, and confused self-image from past stereotyping (residential schools, etc)

Question 22

History of South Asian Canadians

Answer 22

-4% CDN (largest visible minority in Canada)- East Indians, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Punjabi, and Tamil (Sikh,
Hindu, and Muslim)
-few generalities can be made
-form strong bonds with others of similar background & disconnected from other South Asians

Commonalitiies:
a) place a high value on family,
b) maintain social networks within their ethnic group,
c) value religion within their
distinct cultures,
d) preserve their customs, traditions, and language

High ethnic consciousness (Sikhs, Ismaili Muslims) are most involved in extra-familial cultural

Question 23

History of Southeast Asian Canadians

Answer 23

-~4%: Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos, Indochinese, Indians, and Koreans
-CP Rail, WWII Pearl habour
-hardworking and successful and not prone to mental or emotional disturbances
-subtleties, ie: communication is more indirect and discrete
-expected to exert control over strong emotions, filial piety, stress on family bonds and unity, and respect for roles and status

o Less likely to seek help compared to white people
§ Must see and appreciate them in the context of their heritage
o Mental expression is sometimes explained in religious ways (possessed by spirit, or punished because they broke some morale principle)
o Often develop somatic symptoms instead of recognizing their pain is psychological
o For Career counsellors, some southeast Asian Canadians are torn between their interest and what’s accepted by their parents
o Should promote self-disclosure through educational/career counselling rather than a psychotherapy approach

Question 24

History of Latino Canadians

Answer 24

-1%, mostly bicultural, but vary in acculturation
-AKA Hispanic Canadians
-Mexico, El Salvador, Chile, Columbia, and Venezuela.
-Some Cuba, Peru, Guatemala, Ecuador, and elsewhere
-Roman Catholic
-Spanish speaking
-Lower socioeconomic status, racism, and discrimination

Question 25

History of Arab Canadians

Answer 25

-1.2%, 22 countries: Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Yemen, Tunisia, and Palestine
-Muslim/Christian
-Vary in social class, education, language (dialects), relative conservatism of the country of origin, time of immigration, and level of acculturation

Commonalities:
-emphasize social stability and the collective over the individual
-family is the most significant element, life is dominated by family
-Men are the patriarchs in family life and women
are expected to uphold the honour of the family
- 2x Arab Canadians vs. other CDNs earn a university degree

fallout, tension, and distrust from 9/11

Question 26

Background/Approach for British Canadians

Answer 26

-individualism vs. group conformance
-values linear, analytical, empirical, and task solutions
*Basis for research therapeutic approaches

Question 27

Background/Approach for French Canadians

Answer 27

-most left-wing region of the entire North American continent
(same-sex marriage, abortion, cohabitation)
-Catholic
-Optimistic future planners

Question 28

Background/Approach for Non-British European Canadians

Answer 28

-Sweden, Italy, Poland, Germany, Russia, Sweden, Austria, and Spain* (distinct)
-blended together more than most other cultural groups
-rational or logical methods in understanding themselves and others

Question 29

Theories to Apply to European Canadians

Answer 29

***cognitive and cognitive-behavioural approaches
*psychoanalytic
*Adlerian
*person-centred
*affective counselling theories

Question 30

Theories to Apply to First Nations

Answer 30

multiple counselling approaches in a synergetic way:
*network therapy
*home-based therapy
*indigenous-structural therapy
*traditional Native activities (the talking circle/stick and storytelling)

Question 31

Common Aboriginal traditions

Answer 31

1. The medicine wheel - everything spiritual is in a circle, every seeker can find a harmonious way of living with environment
2. 4 powers (natural forces): N-wisdom E- enlightenment=peace/light S-warmth/growth W-introspection
3. Ceremonies -religious expression, nothing is written (orally Elder to Elder)
4. Elders - older men and women, sometimes young w/special gift from the Great Creator (wisdom, healing, dream interpretation)
5. Prayers - indiv & group
6. Pipes and pipe ceremonies - private or group, pipe belongs to the community, used got prayers or sacred circle (holding=speaker).
7. Fasting - quicken spirituality
8. Sweat lodges - communal prayer, spiritual healing, purification, and fasting
9. Feasting ceremonies - food differs by Ab. community
10. Rattles - summon a spirit for spiritual or physical purposes
11. Drums - heartbeat of the group and the pulse of the universe, sacred object
12. Eagle whistles - dancer blows an eagle bone whistle, drum group begins singing, rules
13. Herbs/incense - sacred plants are sweetgrass, sage, cedar, tobacco
14. Medicine pouches -elder may prescribe that plant be carried in a pouch, not concealed

Question 32

Connecting with FIrst Nations

Answer 32

4 Considerations:
1) silence
2) acceptance
3) restatement
4) general lead

-creative arts
-vision quest
-focus on rituals and wellness in Native American culture

• Find a spiritual connection with them (understand white privilege and move past it)
• Understand their realities (impact of the past, worldview)
• Be flexible in structuring counselling
• Build a connection with them
• Be very cautious with humor and allow clients to vent their anger in a safe manner.
• Tradition medical practices

Question 33

Theories to Apply to South Asian Canadians

Answer 33

Trigger:
acculturation stress - Women: (rigid gender role & demands), anx/depr,

Approaches:
*discussion of the values/beliefs/behaviours of own/cdn culture -what fits, doesn’t, ambivalence
*cognitive behaviour therapy
*solution-focused techniques
*gestalt methods
*reframing

Trigger:
parenting stress

Approaches:
Above + education (differences parenting btw cultures, go slow)

Question 34

Theories to Apply to Southeast Asian Canadians

Answer 34

-psychological distress and disorders are explained within religious framework (bad spirit/violation)
- “invoking the help of some supernatural power
-more likely to somatize psychological problems
-choose occupations in the investigative and realistic areas (parents vs. personal interest)
-family obligations

*promote self-disclosure with Chinese Canadians through educational or career counselling rather than direct, confrontational psychotherapeutic approaches

Question 35

Theories to Apply to African Canadians

Answer 35

*form of education and job training, drug rehabilitation, or learning better parenting skills
*not overemphasizing the client’s feelings
*guarded, challenging, and needing to “size up” their helper, do not become defensive

1 avoid presumptions about level of adjustment being tied to one’s identity being centred on race
2 be aware of how context can effect healthy Black adjustment
3n attempt to understand the client’s frame of reference
4 base social and other interventions on multidimensional model of Black psychological
functioning

-carefully identify expectations
-be open about different cultural and ethnic backgrounds between couns/client
-egalitarian relationship should be established
-do not ignore impact of discrimination and racism
-consider Racial identity
-emphasis on pragmatics (practical steps to deal)
-focus on African Canadians’ strengths + indiv w/in family, neighborhood, and city
-Family members or neighbours can often be brought in to help, as with utilizing spiritual resources within the client’s community

Question 36

Theories to Apply to Latino Canadians

Answer 36

-Reluctant due to: cultural tradition (pride), cultural heritage (reliance on extended family ties), transportation, health insurance, CP’s not fluent in Spanish or culture
-perceive psychological problems as similar to physical problems
-expect: active, concrete, and goal-directed
*usually involves family, and working in harmony with the client’s spiritual or religious tradition
*bilingual preferred

Question 37

Theories to Apply to Arab Canadians

Answer 37

-Helper is last resort: emphasis on the importance of honour and shame
-Awareness of gender roles (patriarchal patterns of authority, conservative sexual standards, and the importance of self-sacrifice prevail)
- aware of cultural context
- mindful of the issue of leadership + importance that authority figures
- attentive to the extended family roles in decision making
- sensitive to culture as an active and tangible co-participant in treatment
-Consider: groups such as parenting or 12-step (not Iraq PTSD)

*strength-based approach to treatment is both desirable and works better
- being active as a counsellor and balancing - not a rescuer or threat

Question 38

History of African Canadians

Answer 38

-individual, institutional, and cultural racism are facts of life for people of African descent
emphasis on the collective in African Canadian traditions (clan/tribe > family, those close, & minister)
-spiritual

Slavery and violent acts