Strategies for Broaching the Subjects of Race, Ethnicity, and Culture

Abstract

The Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC; Ratts et al., 2015) offer guidelines for counselors to deliver culturally responsive care to clients. Although the MSJCC broadly describe effective communication, specific skills are not included. This article provides counselors with strategies for discussing topics of race, ethnicity, and culture with clients. These strategies build on the MSJCC and are based in research on multicultural counseling best practices. Case examples are used to illustrate the application of these skills with diverse clients.

Relationship between orientation toward multicultural competence, multicultural competent behaviors, and working alliance: Examining a multigroup mediation model

“…One possible explanation is that counselors may not have broached cultural issues in cross‐therapeutic dyads, wherein racial/ethnic tensions or cultural discomfort in the therapeutic relationship are more accentuated as effectively as they did with the same therapeutic dyads. It is also in agreement with the previous research suggesting that counselors in general, White counselors working with REM clients in particular, felt reluctant to address cultural issue in session and reported difficulty of how and when appropriately to initiate such cultural dialogues with clients (Day‐Vines et al., 2020, 2021). Thus, counselors addressing cultural concerns ineffectively may create cultural ruptures or impasses during the therapeutic process, which in turn may negatively or nonsignificantly influence the level of working alliance (Davis et al., 2018).…”

Deep like the Rivers: Black Women’s Use of Christian Mindfulness to Thrive in Historically Hostile Institutions

“…One scholar described a womanist approach to wellness for Black women in the academy in very practical activities including drinking water, getting highquality sleep, exercising, breathing properly, spending time in nature, having quiet time, practicing regular meditation, visualizing, and maintaining sources of spiritual inspiration (Evans 2021). In this study, my integration of a Christian worldview and personal beliefs related to my experiences proved effective in the attainment of mental health (Day-Vines et al 2021).…”

The Pedagogical Potential of Podcasts: Using Digital Audio to Enhance Learning in Marriage and Family Counseling Courses

“…This episode emphasizes the diversity of beliefs and experiences that exist within broad cultural groups and may be assigned to help students expand their understanding of and appreciation for other cultures (ACA, 2014; CACREP, 2015; COAMFTE, 2021; IAMFC, 2019). The episode also illustrates the value and necessity of broaching cultural issues in counseling, as it enables counselors to develop a deeper understanding of the unique values and expressions associated with each client's racial-ethnic background (Day-Vines et al, 2021). Other podcasts that may be suitable for presenting alternative perspectives and highlighting diverse cultural experiences include the episode of Am I Normal?…”