Intro to counseling mod 5

cultural competent practice

Module Learning Objectives

• 01 - transitioning from traditional Eurocentric frameworks to inclusive therapeutic care.

dimensions of diversity

Module Learning Objectives

• 02 - Exploring race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and socioeconomic status.

power, privilege, and bias

Module Learning Objectives

• 03 - Analyzing implicit bias, systemic privilege, and counselor power dynamics in session.

MSJC frameworks and action

Module Learning Objectives

• 04 - Applying Ratts et al. developmental domains and social/ecological advocacy levels.

the “fourth force” in psychology

What is Multicultural Counseling?

• Recognizes cultural background as central to human identity, mental health, and healing — revising traditional monocultural assumptions.

social context inclusion

What is Multicultural Counseling?

• Moves beyond intrapsychic symptoms to evaluate systemic oppression, discrimination, and sociohistorical factors.

race and ethnicity

Exploring Core Identity Dimensions

• examining racial identity formation, racial trauma, cultural heritage, and systemic racism.

gender and sexual orientation

Exploring Core Identity Dimensions

• affirming LGBTQ+ identities, deconstructing gender roles, and supporting minority stress recovery.

disability and ability status

Exploring Core Identity Dimensions

• challenging ableism, promoting accessibility, and honoring neurodiverse experiences.

socio-economic status (SES0

Exploring Core Identity Dimensions

• addressing class inequality, economic stress, and unequal healthcare access

95% unconscious cognition

Most cognitive processing occurs outside conscious awareness, harboring learned societal stereotypes.

automatic stereotyping

Implicit Bias in Clinical Practice

• Unconscious attitudes affecting diagnostic assessment, empathy levels, and treatment planning.

counter-transference risks

Implicit Bias in Clinical Practice

• Projecting unexamined cultural assumptions onto client behaviors and emotional responses.

mandatory de-biasing

Implicit Bias in Clinical Practice

• Continuous self-reflection and supervision are required to mitigate diagnostic bias.

unearned privilege

Deconstructing Power & Privilege

• Systemic advantages granted to dominant social groups (White, cisgender, ablebodied, affluent) regardless of merit.

• Clinical Impact - often invisible to those who possess it.

power dynamics

Deconstructing Power & Privilege

• The inherent authority asymmetry between counselor (expert status) and client within therapeutic interactions.

• Clinical Tasks - sharing power and fostering collaboration.

counselor self-awareness

MSJCC Developmental Framework

1. exploring personal cultural values and bias.

client worldview

MSJCC Developmental Framework

2. understanding clients' lived experience.

therapeutic relationship

MSJCC Developmental Framework

3. Navigating power & privilege session.

advocacy interventions

MSJCC Developmental Framework

4. taking socioecological action across levels.

attitudes and beliefs

Counselor Self-Awareness : AKSA Competencies

• acknowledge personal assumptions, cultural heritage, and potential racial biases.

knowledge

Counselor Self-Awareness : AKSA Competencies

• understand sociohistorical oppression, white privilege, and systemic inequality.

skills

Counselor Self-Awareness : AKSA Competencies

• develop critical reflection and active communication regarding social status.

action

Counselor Self-Awareness : AKSA Competencies

• engage in lifelong immersion, anti-racism training, and community learning.

sociopolitical context

Understanding the Client’s Worldview

• recognizing how historical trauma and institutional discrimination shape client reality.

cultural values and beliefs

Understanding the Client’s Worldview

• Honoring collectivism vs. individualism, family structures, and spiritual traditions.

minority stress and coping

Understanding the Client’s Worldview

• validating distress caused by chronic exposure to systemic prejudice and marginalization.

privileged counselor / marginalized client

The 4 Identity Quadrants in Counseling

• high-risk of unexamined privilege. Requires active power-sharing.

privileged counselor / privileged client

The 4 Identity Quadrants in Counseling

• Risk of blind spots, must avoid reinforcing status-quo biases.

marginalized counselor / privileged client

The 4 Identity Quadrants in Counseling

• managing client prejudice while maintaining clinical boundary standards.

marginalized counselor / marginalized client

The 4 Identity Quadrants in Counseling

• shared understanding, watch for over-identification or burnout.

intrapersonal

Socioecological Advocacy Levels

1. empowering client critical consciousness and self-advocacy.

interpersonal

Socioecological Advocacy Levels

2. assisting with support networks, family dynamics, and peers.

institutional

Socioecological Advocacy Levels

3. removing barrier policies in schools, workplaces, and clinics.

community

Socioecological Advocacy Levels

4. partnering with community allies and local advocacy groups.

public policy

Socioecological Advocacy Levels

5. lobbying and advocating for legislative equity and reform.

Individual Level - “like No Other Individual”

Tripartite Model of Personal Identity

• unique genetic makeup, personal life experiences, and distinct personality traits.

Group Level - “Like Some Other Individuals”

Tripartite Model of Personal Identity

• shared cultural identities, race, gender, SES, religion, age, and sexual orientation.

Universal Level - “Like All other Individuals”

Tripartite Model of Personal Identity

• common human abilities, biological needs, self-awareness, and emotional experience.

Microassaults (Conscious/Explicit)

Understanding Microaggressions

• explicit racial / cultural derogations, intentional discriminatory actions, or slurs.

Subtle (Often Unconscious)

Understanding Microaggressions

• behavioral / environmental snubs demeaning a person’s identity heritage.

Microinvalidations (Denies experience)

Understanding Microaggressions

• communicating excluding or negating the psychological thoughts/feelings of marginalized clients.

cultural competence

Cultural Competence vs. Cultural Humility

• Focus - knowledge acquisition & skill mastery.

• Goal - understanding diverse group norms.

• Stance - learning end-point or achievement.

cultural humility

Cultural Competence vs. Cultural Humility

• Focus - lifelong self-critique & reflection.

• Goal - addressing power imbalances in therapy.

• Stance - client as expert of their experience.

Expand beyond the office

Social Justice Advocacy in Practice

1. engage in community outreach, school advocacy, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Validate structural oppression

Social Justice Advocacy in Practice

2. avoid pathologizing healthy systemic stress responses in marginalized individuals.

Active Allyship

Social Justice Advocacy in Practice

3. leverage professional privilege to advocate for institutional policy changes.