Multiculturalism & The Helper

1
Multiculturalism The Helper

• Complete the Multiculturalism Survey -
• 3 area are measured
• awareness
• knowledge
• skills
• Note the specific areas that you marked very
  limited.
• Notice any difference between the areas?
• Which areas do you see as strengths?
• Which areas need improvement?

2
Developing Competence

• Helpers need to recognize limitations be
  willing to
• Seek consultation
• Continue education
• Make referrals if necessary
• Multicultural ethnicity, race and culture.
• Diversity individual differences /
  characteristics (age, gender, religion,
  disability, socioeconomic background, sexual
  orientation)
• Helpers need to be aware of their own
  assumptions,
• biases, and worldview.

3
Developing Competence

• Helpers need to think about diversity WITHOUT
  placing issues into right or wrong.
• Respecting the needs strengths of diverse
  populations is important!
• Helpers need to be prepared to deal with
  differences in areas such as race, culture,
  ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities,
  religion, gender age.
• Need to be alert to imposing your own worldview!
• In working with different cultural experiences,
  it important to resist making value judgements
  for them.

4
Western vs. Eastern ValuesTheories practices
of the helping process are grounded in Western
assumptions

• Western Values
• Uniqueness
• Individual success
• Express feelings
• Self-assertion
• Independence
• Non-conformity
• Competition
• Conflict
• Individual freedom
• Improving ones environment

• Eastern Values
• Interdependence
• Relationships
• Maturity
• Compliance
• Conformity
• Cooperation
• Control ones feelings
• Harmony
• Security
• Accepting ones environment

5
Challenging Cultural Assumptions

• Self-disclosure
• May be taboo in some cultures.
• Helpers can model appropriate self-disclosure.
• Clients need some level of self-disclosure to be
  able to participate in the counselor/client
  relationship.
• Some other forms of self-disclosure include music
  therapy, journaling, recreational therapy, art,
  etc.
• Nonverbal Behavior
• There are no universal meanings for nonverbal
  behavior!!
• In some cultures, silence is a sign of respect,
  politeness.

6
Assumptions Contd

• Nonverbal behaviors contd
• Some Native American and Hispanic groups think of
  eye contact as a sign of disrespect.
• Trusting Relationships
• Among many cultures it takes a long time to
  develop meaningful relationships. Trust must be
  earned!!
• Self-actualization
• Some clients are more concerned about how their
  problems or changes are likely to affect others
  in their life.

7
Cultural Assumptions Contd

• Directness Assertiveness
• Some cultures see it as a sign of rudeness.
• Important to listen to client and what they
  value. Ask client what behaviors are and are not
  working for them.

8
Developing Competence

• Helpers need to recognize limitations be
  willing to
• Seek consultation
• Continue education
• Make referrals if necessary
• Multicultural ethnicity, race and culture.
• Diversity individual differences /
  characteristics (age, gender, religion,
  disability, socioeconomic background, sexual
  orientation)
• Helpers need to be aware of their own
  assumptions,
• biases, and worldview.

9
People With Disabilities

• Common Misconceptions
• Physically disabled emotionally disabled.
• Have limited capacity to be normal.
• Any goals should be kept modest.
• Want and should receive pity.
• Do not have the same feelings as the nondisabled.
• Helper Guidelines
• Disabled people are capable and have potential
  for change.
• Recognize any discrimination and oppression.
• Interventions may also involve advocacy action.

10
Working With Older People

• Misconceptions
• Are all alike.
• Most are depressed.
• Treatment of emotional problems is not effective.
• Most are lonely.
• Are not open to change.
• Are no longer capable of learning.
• Guidelines For Helpers
• There are more similarities than differences
  between old young.
• Teach clients about life stages present themes.
• Treat them as if they are young. (Mind over body)

11
Working With Older Contd

• Kindness (not pity) goes a long way.
• Listening other basic attending skills are
  vital.
• Some other important characteristics -
• Patience, sense of humor, enthusiasm, respect,
  hopefulness, willing to learn.

12
Becoming A Culturally Skilled Helper

• Recognize limitations.
• Sometimes a client can teach you!!! (No person
  is an island)
• Benefit - Do no harm? Refer is needed.
• Ways to develop multicultural perspective
• Classes - Multicultural Issues Counseling
  Across the Lifespan.
• Attend conferences and workshops on
  multiculturalism / diversity issues.
• Become familiar with immigration population
  culture issues they face.
• Read periodicals, books, etc.
• Attend diverse functions or activities.