Ethics and Multicultural Competence: Stress and Trauma, Building Resilience

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the ethical, multicultural, and neurobiological aspects of counseling as discussed in Chapter 2.

Ethics

Thoughtful professional lists of dos and don’ts for the profession, summarized as “Do no harm to your clients; treat them responsibly with full awareness of the social responsibility of helping.”

Morals

Individual principles by which we live that define our beliefs about right and wrong.

RESPECTFUL Model

A multidimensional framework used to identify past and present voices affecting thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, covering Religion/Spirituality, Economic/Class Background, Sexual Identity, Personal Style and Education, Ethnic/Racial Identity, Chronological/Lifespan Status, Trauma/Crisis, Family Background/History, Unique Physical Characteristics, and Location of Residence/Language.

Intergenerational transmission of trauma

A process where the trauma of severe abusive treatment persists over generations, causing descendants to exhibit increased depression, anxiety, and physical consequences.

Privilege

Power given to people through cultural assumptions and stereotypes; being in certain RESPECTFUL categories offers this immediate advantage.

The Soul Wound

An indigenous concept describing historical trauma that occurs in the soul or spirit, often resulting in poverty, racism, shorter life spans, and loss of cultural heritage.

Psychological Liberation

The process occurring when clients discover that what they saw as a personal issue is actually rooted in external and historical causes, such as racism, sexism, or other forms of oppression.

Worldview

The way an individual and their client understand the world, which can vary significantly across different backgrounds and philosophical views.

Pre-frontal cortex ($PFC$)

Known as the thinking center of the brain, this area is typically underactivated as a result of trauma.

Anterior cingulate cortex ($ACC$)

The part of the brain responsible for emotion regulation, which is underactivated in individuals experiencing trauma.

Amygdala

The fear center of the brain, which is overactivated in response to trauma.

Optimism

A state defined by hope, confidence, cheerfulness, trust in oneself, personal power, and belief in the future.

Resilience

The ability to bounce back from setbacks, temporary failure, and early or late trauma.

Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes ($TLCs$)

Positive wellness strategies for physical and mental health, including physical exercise, nutrition, social relations, sleep, and multicultural pride.

Multicultural Humility

An imperative approach in counseling that involves paying attention to cultural differences in groups such as women, $BIPOC$ people, and $LGBTQIA+$ people.

Microaggressions

Brief and everyday slights or insults that counselors must learn to help clients navigate and disarm.