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Multicultural Key Strategies Multicultural Skills Training Team
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Utilizing Complementary Roles Multicultural Skills Training:
Operationalizing a Treatment, Training, and Research Model
CR1. Educating about Options a. Literature: “The main tasks of an adviser involve helping clients to solve or prevent potential problems, educating them about available options, and sharing with them what they may have found effective in dealing with the problematic situation” (Sue et al., 1998, p. 88). b. Marker: IF clients are not aware of community resources or other options that might support them, THEN a counselor should educate clients about resources or strategies for problem solving. An educational role can complement a traditional therapeutic relationship. c. Consequence: IF a psychotherapist plays an educational role, THEN clients will be better able to solve problems using multiple sources of support. d. Example: “In addition to working on your anxiety in psychotherapy, I know that you mentioned acupuncture has helped you in the past. Would you like me to help you find an acupuncture practitioner here in Honolulu?” CR2. Consulting about Change a. Literature: Acting as a consultant involves “a professional but collegial relationship in which both the helper and consultee work to impact or change a third party. Understanding of organizational dynamics and processes are a necessity for this role” (Sue et al., 1998, p. 88). b. Marker: IF clients are facing institutional barriers, THEN it may be helpful for a counselor to provide consultation about how to initiate changes. c. Consequences: IF a counselor provides consultation, THEN clients may feel empowered to modify a problematic situation and may be more likely to effectively achieve change. d. Example: “It sounds like you would feel less anxious if you had more time on your essay test. Would you like to talk about ways that you might ask your professor for extra time?” CR3. Advocating for Environmental Change a. Literature: Acting as an advocate “entails representing the individual's or group's best interests to other individuals, groups, or institutions.” When acting as a change agent, “the helper takes an action-oriented approach to changing aspects of the client's environment” (Sue et al., 1998, p. 88). b. Marker: IF clients' change initiatives are not successful, THEN it may be helpful for a therapist to take a direct role in advocating for institutional change. c. Consequence: IF a counselor advocates for change, THEN a third party may be more likely to make accommodations or other changes on behalf of clients. d. Example: “It sounds like it was difficult for you to effectively communicate with your professor. Would you like me to call him and explain your needs?” CR4. Integrating Spiritual Awareness a. Literature: “Culturally skilled counselors are not averse to seeking consultation with traditional healers or religious and spiritual leaders and practitioners in the treatment of culturally different clients when appropriate” (Sue et al., 1998, p. 41). b. Marker: IF clients initiate discussion regarding spirituality or are facing problems that may be related to religious beliefs, THEN a therapist may integrate spiritual awareness with psychological concepts. c. Consequence: IF a counselor talks about spirituality or religion with clients, THEN the counselor will gain a more comprehensive understanding of clients and be able to support spiritual development that is consistent with psychological goals. d. Example: “It sounds like your religion is an extremely important part of your life. I'm wondering if there are spiritual practices, like meditation, that might help you deal with your anxiety in a different way?” CR5. Facilitating Indigenous Support & Healing a. Literature: “Helpers... realize that culturally different clients may respond better to indigenous support systems (the church, extended family, community elders, and so forth) in resolving their problems. They refer out or place people in contact with the cultural resources available in the community” (Sue et al., 1998, p. 88-89). b. Marker: IF clients' goals could be supported by indigenous systems, THEN a counselor might initiate discussion about how to integrate support and healing resources alongside psychological treatment. c. Consequence: IF a counselor encourages clients to seek indigenous support and healing, THEN clients may receive assistance that compliments psychotherapy. d. Example: “We've been talking for a couple of weeks about addressing your anxiety through Buddhist meditation. Do you think it would be helpful to talk to your priest about your anxiety?” CR6. Seeking Consultation with Cultural Experts a. Literature: “Culturally skilled clinicians are not averse to seeking consultation with traditional healers or religious and spiritual leaders and practitioners in the treatment of culturally different clients when appropriate” (Sue et al., 1998, p. 41). b. Marker: IF clients' express the desire to support psychotherapeutic techniques with traditional or religious and spiritual beliefs, THEN a clinician should be willing to consult community cultural experts when appropriate to the clients' situations. c. Consequences: IF a psychotherapist is willing to seek consultation, THEN clients will receive treatment that complements rather than contradicts the goals of the psychotherapeutic relationship. d. Example: “Mao, you mentioned that you also discuss your feelings about taking tests with your Buddhist priest. Do you think it would be important for me to seek consultation with your priest about how to provide therapy that complements your spiritual beliefs?”
Copyright © 2004
Andrea Nacapoy.
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