A multicultural framework in counsellor training: a preliminary evaluation

Moving the debate forward in small steps: A reply to Morrison

“…Finally, Morrison pays us two compliments: that we were 'brave' and that we raised an important agenda. The agenda raised by 'multiculturalism' is indeed an important issue for counselling (Bimrose, 1996;Ivey et al, 1993;Sue & Sue, 1990) and we are pleased to have made a small contribution to the debate and its visibility.…”

“…The purpose of our study (Bimrose & Bayne, 1995) was more focused and limited than Morrison's reading suggests. He states that the purpose of our evaluation was 'to inform future course development in terms of which frameworks should be offered, how they are to be structured and delivered and what the most appropriate time allocations should be' and that 'these purposes are not fully addressed in the paper' (Morrison, 1996, p. 95).…”

“…He argues that 'in practice individuals, groups, cultures and societies do not possess or abide by such theoretical purity or simplicity' (p. 97). The framework (not model) relating to multiculturalism was developed as one way of malung sense of competing counselling approaches to social context (Bimrose, 1993). It refers to counselling practice rather than to 'individuals, groups, cultures and societies', and suggests tendencies reflected by various established theories underpinning practice to marginalise (individualist), centralise (structuralist) or integrate knowledge and understanding of social context within current practice.…”

Researching the need for multicultural perspectives in counsellor training: A critique of Bimrose & Bayne

“…Bimrose & Bayne's research does not adequately establish construct validity: it is only triangulated with a single alternative source as an external referent (hey et al, 1993) and with one of the authors' previous publications (Bimrose, 1993).…”

“…The paper by Bimrose & Bayne (1995) is a timely and important reminder of the value of introducing new perspectives and empirical data to ensure that counsellor training meets the needs of a diverse, multicultural society. It usefully suggests the need for, and contents of, a multicultural framework in counsellor training, and indicates how evaluation informs course improvement.…”