Critical Issues Concerning Cultural Competence

Abstract

Sue’s contribution concerning cultural competence is reviewed and critiqued. General issues provoked by Sue and found in the emergent discourse on the topic are discussed, including concerns about its operationalization, its purpose, its parameters, issues pertaining to training, and considerations for evaluation. Specific issues related to Sue’s model are highlighted with suggestions for improvement and clarification. The specific issues critiqued include the following strengths: continued leadership in the field, inclusion of social justice, multidimensionality of cultural competence, and the tripartite conception of personal identity. Issues of concern include the lack of a solid rationale for the model, definitional difficulties, the lack of prescription, and limitations based on the race-based group perspective. Suggestions for future scholarship are offered.

Therapists' Integration of Religion and Spirituality in Counseling: A Meta‐Analysis

“…In addition, psychologists have increasingly recognized that religion and spirituality are relevant aspects of client diversity that psychologists should be able to recognize while treating religious or spiritual clients with sensitivity (Ridley, Baker, & Hill, 2001; D. W. Sue, Bingham, Porche-Burke, & Vasquez, 1999). Richards and Bergin (2000) have proposed that the integration of religious and spiritual culture in counseling is conceptually similar to the dynamics of more general multicultural counseling attitudes and skills previously advanced by other multicultural researchers (e.g., D. W. Sue .…”

A Multidimensional Exploration of the Impact of International Experiences on Counselors’ Cross-Cultural Awareness

“…Experiences aimed at enhancing cross-cultural awareness must address the unique intersection of multiple social identities, cultural heritages and worldviews of both counselors and clients (Collins and Pieterse 2007;Ridley et al 2001). For example, in the United States the notion exists that the country is a melting pot of people from all over the world.…”

An Introduction to the Best Practices Section in the Journal of Counseling & Development

“…The definition and application of this concept is far from clear, and the dialogue regarding the definition of cultural competency is far from over. The work of Ridley and colleagues (Ridley, Baker, & Hill, 2001) at Indiana University illustrates the critical interface between cultural and clinical competence. Cultural competence is a critical subset of counseling competence, rather than a separate and distinct field.…”