Multicultural Education and Training in Rehabilitation Counseling Education Programs

Challenges and Opportunities in International Partnerships in Rehabilitation Counselling: An Exploratory Study

“…Overall, international experience may feasibly better equip both rehabilitation counsellors and scholars to consider integration of cultural competency into training programs as well as encourage them to leave behind notions of simply transplanting rehabilitation counselling policies and practices across borders. Parallel with the literature on the need for cultivating globally minded rehabilitation counselling scholars and practitioners (Donnell et al, 2009), the interviews reiterate the value of field experience, student and faculty mobility, research platforms and intercultural competency in preparing rehabilitation counsell7ors to work in an international context. While there is a challenge to international scholarship, this can be succeeded by taking what one learns and revamping it to fit one's country of origin or country of practice.…”

“…The topic of international partnerships has received nominal attention even though several discourses have been made in regard to international collaboration in the training of rehabilitation counsellors (e.g., Chen, Za Ong, & Brodwin, 2008; Matthews et al, 2015; Siu, Brodwin, Huang, Brodwin, & Kier, 2014). International partnerships in the training of rehabilitation counsellors not only has the potential to increase accessibility of rehabilitation service for people with CID around the world (WHO, 2011), but are also likely to benefit rehabilitation counsellors in addressing cross-cultural issues in the provision of rehabilitation services for an increasingly diverse consumer population (Donnell, Robertson, & Shannon, 2009; Hampton & Sax, 2007). Moreover, rehabilitation counsellor education in multicultural competencies with experiential learning, cultural immersion activity, as well as culturally responsive teaching are common suggestions in response to the globalisation and internationalisation of rehabilitation in diverse communities (Donnell et al, 2009).…”

Promoting Multicultural Competencies in Early Career Rehabilitation Counsellor Supervisors

“…The Code of Ethics clearly states that 'rehabilitation counselor educators actively infuse material related to cultural diversity into all courses and workshops for the development of professional rehabilitation counselors' (p. 23). Frameworks for addressing diversity in counselling (e.g., Constantine,1997;Donnell, Robertson, & Shannon, 2009;Falender & Shafranske, 2004;Lassiter, Napolitano, Culbreth, & Ng, 2008 ) highlight the importance of attending to a range of multicultural issues that counsellor trainees are likely to experience throughout practicum and internship. Lassiter, Napolitano, Culbreth and Ng (2008) call for stronger supervisor emphasis on setting expectations and creating an environment that is safe and conducive to the discussion and dialogue of multicultural issues.…”

“…However, in order for this type of discussion to take place, rehabilitation counselling doctoral supervisors must (a) develop skills for incorporating culturally related perspectives into the trainees' supervision experience and (b) create and maintain an environment that encourages teaching and learning about culture, disability and its impact on the therapeutic process, as well as the supervisory process (Corey et al, 2007;Priest, 1994). Donnell, Robertson, and Shannon (2009) proposed a three-pronged approach addressing multicultural issues in counsellor supervision. The first prong emphasises the importance of counsellor educator preparedness and culturally responsive teaching.…”