CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND ITS IMPORTANCE TO THE FIELD …

1 CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND ITS IMPORTANCE TO THE FIELD OF COUNSELING Approved: Tom Lo Guidice Date: September 25, 2012brought to you by COREView metadata, citation and similar papers at by Minds@University of Wisconsin CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND ITS IMPORTANCE TO THE FIELD OF COUNSELING _____ A Seminar Paper Presented to The Graduate Faculty University of Wisconsin-Platteville _____ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree Masters of Science in Education Adult Education _____ by LaShanna Brown 2012 Abstract CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND ITS IMPORTANCE TO THE FIELD OF COUNSELING LaShanna Brown Under the Supervision of Tom LoGuidice and Masters of Adult Education with a concentration in Human Services. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE APPROVAL TITLE TABLE OF CHAPTER I.

2 Introduction Statement of the Problem Definitions of Terms Delimitations Method of Approach II. REVIEW OF What is CULTURAL DIVERSITY ? The IMPORTANCE of CULTURAL DIVERSITY in counseling III. CONCLUSIONS AND IV. V. APPENDIX A iv 5 Chapter One: Introduction DIVERSITY is a theme that has been controversial over recent years. In response accrediting bodies have encouraged colleges and universities to incorporate DIVERSITY classes into their academic programs. One could assume because they see the necessity for students to incorporate DIVERSITY into their studies. DIVERSITY can be looked at in the terms of CULTURAL or ethnic DIVERSITY . CULTURAL DIVERSITY includes beliefs, values, mores, religious background, sexuality, socioeconomic status.

3 Ethnic DIVERSITY tends to concentrate on various ethnic groups. Of course, CULTURAL DIVERSITY is important to the FIELD of counseling. The FIELD of counseling can be very beneficial to countless people. It can only be beneficial if the client is receiving the help that they are seeking and willing to accept the help. One way that a negative relationship can develop within the counseling relationship is if the counselor does not understand the culture, whatever that culture might be, of their client. DIVERSITY within counseling can mean that the counselor recognizes, appreciates, and builds upon the unique talents and contributions of their clients. CULTURAL DIVERSITY encompasses more than just ethnic DIVERSITY . Within ethnic groups there lie several different CULTURAL aspects.

4 Counselors should investigate how the client s particular CULTURAL relates to the client. It needs to be understood how the client s culture helped to develop them into the person they are today. It needs to be understood how the client s culture might have affected why they are seeking out counseling. CULTURAL knowledge is essential when developing a strong relationship between counselor and client. 6 Lastly, once the counselor is knowledgeable of the client s culture it is time for self-reflection. The counselor needs to know how effective they are as a counselor to be able to interact with another who differs from himself or herself. Once self-reflection is complete, the counselor will know if they are the best person to work with a particular client with a particular culture.

5 If not, they should find a more suitable counselor to work with the client. Today s counselor should be knowledgeable, aware, and understanding of different cultures. Societies are becoming increasing different and full of various diverse cultures. The FIELD of counseling should also reflect these diverse cultures to continue to be relevant. Statement of the Problem The problem to be addressed is, Why is CULTURAL DIVERSITY important to the FIELD of counseling? Definition of Terms CULTURAL DIVERSITY : Social and CULTURAL DIVERSITY Issues, knowledge areas include: (a) family development and dynamics; (b) psychological dynamics; (c) sociological dynamics related to self-identity, self-advocacy, competency, adjustment, and attitude formation; (d) multicultural awareness and implications for ethical practice; (e) DIVERSITY issues including CULTURAL , disability, gender, sexual orientation , and aging issues; (f) current issues and trends in a diverse society; and (g) personal professional development strategies for self-monitoring (Alston, R.)

6 , Harley, D., & Turner-Whittaker, 2008, p. 237). Delimitations of Research The research for this paper will be conducted in and through the Karrmann Library at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, over forty (40) days. Primary searches 7 will be conducted via the Internet through EBSCO host and Wilson databases as the primary sources. Method of Approach A brief review of CULTURAL DIVERSITY will be conducted. A review of literature relating to research, studies, and anecdotal evidence of CULTURAL DIVERSITY in relation to the FIELD of counseling and its impact on counseling was conducted. The findings were summarized and recommendations made. 8 Chapter Two: Review of Literature CULTURAL DIVERSITY defined In the past, when DIVERSITY was studied the focus was solely on race and ethnicity.

7 In today s world DIVERSITY encompasses several areas that must be studied in regards to counseling. CULTURAL DIVERSITY includes race and ethnicity but it also can include religion, sexual orientation and many other elements. The focus in this paper is on the IMPORTANCE of CULTURAL DIVERSITY in the counseling FIELD . CULTURAL DIVERSITY can be defined as: (a) family development and dynamics; (b) psychological dynamics; (c) sociological dynamics related to self-identity, self-advocacy, competency, adjustment, and attitude formation; (d) multicultural awareness and implications for ethical practice; (e) DIVERSITY issues including CULTURAL , disability, gender, sexual orientation , and aging issues; (f) current issues and trends in a diverse society; and (g) personal professional development strategies for self-monitoring (Alston, Harley & Turner-Whittaker, 2008, p 237).

8 Over the last 15-20 years scholars and non-scholars have seen the need to explain the definition of CULTURAL DIVERSITY . As the number of minorities grow in American it is important for counselors to be knowledgeable about different ethnic groups. As ethnic groups grow, more people speaking a different language or a different dialect of the English language grows as well. An example of a dialect of English might be what is considered Ebonics. Ebonics is a form of English spoken by some African Americans. What also needs to be included in the definition of CULTURAL DIVERSITY is the growing number of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people (LGBT). Then there are different religions, there are various socioeconomic groups and a many different 9 cultures in America.

9 As a counselor, it is important to be knowledgeable of whatever the culture is of the client one is expected to support. CULTURAL DIVERSITY falls into different areas of the American Counseling Association Standards of Practice. Therefore, a counselor should adhere to the concept of CULTURAL DIVERSITY to fulfill their requirement to the ethic codes of their profession. The American Counseling Association Standard of Practice Eight is the inability to assist clients. Counselors must avoid entering or immediately terminate a counseling relationship if it is determined that they are unable to be of professional assistance to a client. If a counselor cannot understand the culture of their client, they are unable to properly service that person. Standard of Practice Seventeen is boundaries of competence.

10 Counselors must practice only within the boundaries of their competence. Thus, if the counselor is not knowledgeable to the culture of their client they are outside the boundary of their competency. Standard of Practice Eighteen is continuing Education. Counselors must engage in continuing education. With new types of cultures popping up in society, it is pertinent that counselors are aware of these changes. Demonstrated need for CULTURAL DIVERSITY in counseling Counselors need to catch up to the ever changing demands of CULTURAL DIVERSITY . DIVERSITY needs to be included in counseling, in service delivery, in training programs and also in school s curriculums (Alston, R., Harley, D., & Turner-Whittaker, T, 2008). The literature on DIVERSITY and counseling is considerable.