Infusing Cultural Competence and Advocacy Into Strength‐Based Counseling

Abstract

Strength‐based counseling represents a welcome shift from prevailing deficit perspectives. However, the literature often treats enhancing strengths as an acultural concept, minimizing or ignoring the essential role of culture in forming and defining strengths. Integrating cultural competence and advocacy into strength‐based practice is examined as an antidote to ethnocentric practice.

Affirming the Strengths in Men: A Positive Masculinity Approach to Assisting Male Clients

“…Others have moved beyond specific settings and explored cultural components and influences in forming and defining strengths (Grothaus et al, 2012). This is a way to develop a culturally embedded understanding of what is considered “positive” or a “strength” (Pedrotti, 2011; Pedrotti, Edwards, & Lopez, 2009).…”

“…In their original description of the PPPM model, Kiselica and Englar‐Carlson (2010) noted how cultural and contextual factors influence the definition, development, and expression of male strengths. However, in an effort to develop a stronger, culturally embedded perspective (see Englar‐Carlson & Smart, in press; Grothaus et al, 2012; McNulty & Fincham, 2012; Pedrotti & Edwards, 2009), more discussion of cultural influences within the PPPM model is necessary. In particular, it is critical to recognize that a man's social identities are not separate categories that can be examined in isolation, but rather constructed through the intersection of multiple influences.…”

Promote Campus Mental Health From Community Psychology Perspective

“…238 McAuliffe, & Craigen, 2012). In conclusion, the concepts being mentioned above are the key features of community counselling.…”

Self-advocacy and self-determination for students with disabilties: an empowerment group

“…The first domain to consider is one's self-awareness, which involves knowing one's own culture, acknowledging privileges, and examining one' s own biases in worldview and counselling theory. The second component to work on is developing knowledge regarding a culture (Grothaus et al, 2012). Counsellors need to be active in learning about diverse cultures and experiences of people from those cultures.…”

“…Counsellors need to be active in learning about diverse cultures and experiences of people from those cultures. Lastly Grothaus et al (2012) suggest that counsellors should work on developing skills and counselling approaches that are appropriate for the client's culture. I believe that using strength based and humanistic approaches are fitting for the culturally diverse group of SWDs because these theories emphasize and respect the worldview of the client.…”