Critical Guidelines for U.S.-Based Counselor Educators when Working Transnationally: A Delphi Study

Postcolonial Theory and Humanism: A Framework for International Work in the Counseling Profession

“…Primarily, these recommendations are based on their experiences working internationally and are reflections on lessons learned through their professional lives. Critical guidelines for counselor educators in their international work have been developed through an expert panel, giving direction and focus for counselor educators in this expanding work area (Smith et al, ). Although these suggestions and guidelines are significant for the field, it is important to ground international work in theory (Tang et al, ), as with other aspects of the counseling profession (e.g., counseling practice, research).…”

“…Fundamental to all of these various global experiences is the need to work effectively and ethically with global partners (Norsworthy et al, ; Smith et al, ), especially given differences in the practice of helping around the world (Brock, ) and potential negative impacts of spreading Western mental health practices to other countries (Mills, ; Staeuble, ; van de Vijver, ). Because the professions of psychology and counseling are largely products of Western thought (Arnett, ; Staeuble, ), inclusive of culturally specific ideas about mental health, sharing psychological knowledge also involves sharing cultural assumptions and worldviews.…”

“…As a result of situations such as the farmer suicides in India, many scholars have argued that Western mental health should not be uncritically and noncollaboratively applied to foreign communities (Danziger, ; Leung et al, ; Mills, ). Although there are differing opinions in the counseling profession about how U.S. counselors are collaborating with global partners and sharing knowledge (see Leung et al, ; Smith et al, ; Tang et al, ), the assumption that U.S. counselors are unequivocally doing good for these foreign communities is a logic rooted in colonialism (Gandhi, ). Within this assumption of “doing good” is where the postcolonial critique of international work is most pointed.…”

“…By more deeply understanding the self in counseling work, including beliefs and biases, one can develop skills and attributes to limit one's biases from negatively impacting a client. International work requires this same development of self‐awareness (Smith et al, ; Tang et al, ). Although this practice might seem familiar to many counselors, the sociocultural context is unique, thereby necessitating a renewed reflection on oneself in context.…”

“…The synergy of humanism and postcolonial theory can open up new pathways for fostering global relationships that are cognizant of and responsive to the realities of colonialism. Creating these ethical international partnerships is imperative as U.S. counselors continue to work globally in a variety of roles (Smith, Benshoff, & Gonzalez, ; Tang et al, ). Therefore, this article will provide an overview of and explain the need for theory within international work in the counseling profession, explicate postcolonial theory due to its novelty in counseling literature, and proffer ways in which humanism and postcolonial theory can meaningfully inform international work.…”