Do We Need Multicultural Counseling Competencies?

Abstract

Weinrach and Thomas (2002) have shown rather conclusively that the Competencies are irreparably flawed. The attempt to develop such a document was misguided in the first place. There is no need for such a document, and thus no purpose in attempting to remedy its flaws. In the present discussion, I consider the more general problems with multicultural counseling. In addition, I propose a general solution to the problems of counseling clients who are members of a wide variety of culturally distinct groups. The Competencies are lacking any philosophical or theoretical foundations and are based on two untenable assumptions.

Ethical implications of culturally (in)sensitive practice in psychotherapy

“…Paterson, na primer, ističe da je svaka terapija i savetovanje multikulturalno, ali da to ne iziskuje potrebu da se za svaku posebnu kulturnu grupu osmišljavaju nove teorije (Patterson, 2004). Isti autor se slaže sa zahtevom da se psihoterapeut upozna s kulturom iz koje dolazi klijent, ali ne preko antropoloških kurseva koji razvijaju stereotipe, već kroz život u kulturnoj zajednici iz koje klijenti potiču.…”

Finding Universals and Appreciating Differences: Philosophy and Method in Cross-Cultural Psychological Science

“…However, shortcomings of multiculturalism and cultural diversity training have been noted in terms of equivocal evidence that training in multicultural competencies either improves clinical outcomes (e.g., Griner & Smith, 2006;Huey, Tilley, Jones, & Smith, 2014;Kirmayer, 2012;Patterson, 2004;Weinrach & Thomas, 2002;Worthington, Soth-McNett, & Moreno, 2007) or increases social justice (Vera & Speight, 2003). Patterson (2004) has also criticized multicultural counseling competencies on philosophical grounds, namely that counseling is based on therapists' skill acquisition rather than on fostering healing relationships with clients, and stating that "client (cultural) differences are more important than client similarities" in terms of treatment selection (p. 68). Multiculturalism seeks to replace the "melting pot" metaphor with that of the "salad bowl" (D'Innocenzo & Sirefman, 1992).…”

decision-making process inherent with hiring career counselors who advise international students

“…Scholars such as Weinrach and Thomas (2002) and Patterson (2004), question the need to cull out cultural competencies and challenge that such competencies are necessary in all counseling situations and not just when working with clients, patients, and students from other cultures. Arredondo, Sue, and other scholars are condemned for making race a central focus of counseling as opposed to approaching each person as an individual (Patterson, 20 2004).…”

“…Effective strategies include understanding how personal biases within context can impact the counseling relationship. Patterson (2004) favors a client-centered approach to counseling focused on client respect, empathy, genuineness, communication, and education of the counseling process.…”

“…Counselor characteristics and attitudes are central to this approach and Patterson (2004) asserts this is missing in MCC. Yet, Patterson's stance on this seems to ignore MCC's reference to selfawareness of attitudes and beliefs, which could factor into his point.…”