Ethical Implications in Cross‐Cultural Counseling and Training

Abstract

The nonspecificity of the ethical guidelines forces counselors to develop personal philosophies in regard to serving culturally unique clients. The resulting variability in the quality and availability of services threatens the growth and dilutes the integrity of the counseling profession. The worldview of the counselor is discussed as it affects client welfare, self-determination, and cultural autonomy in the counseling alliance. Ethical issues surrounding the development and implementation of cross-cultural training programs are reviewed and discussed.

Use of a Personal Cultural Perspective Profile (PCPP) in developing counsellor multicultural competence

“…But this is not to imply that it is feasible for counsellors to become intimately familiar with every culture that abounds in the world today. Instead, like Burn (1992), the author believes we must provide a foundation from which counsellors can begin to appreciate and consider the unique cultural circumstances that influence the behavior of their clients and themselves. The PCPP serves as such a conceptual tool, because it offers a means for systematic identification, understanding and accommodation of the needs of people from differing cultural backgrounds.…”

The "Color Blind" Therapist

“…Derald Sue proposes that the counseling profession's emphasis on pathology tends to encourage the study of a client's weakness and personality deficits rather than the client's strengths and assets (Burn, 1992). Herr calls this the "deficit model" and explains how this often equates cultural variations to individual maladjustment (Burn, 1992, p. 580).…”

“…David Burn (1992) suggests that the potential for harm exists when a therapist is not able to understand his or her personal biases. Because symptoms can hold a variety of meanings, many clients are the victims of misdiagnosis at the hands of clinicians who do not understand the culture of their client.…”

Kültür Merkezli Psikolojik Danışma: Kuramsal Bir İnceleme

“…Çünkü danışanın "gerçek" hakkındaki varsayımları kültürün kökenine bağlıdır. Psikolojik danışmanlar bir yandan danışana ait dünya görüşünün farkında olurken, diğer yandan kendi dünya görüşünün de farkında olarak danışanı bu konuda etkilememesi gerektiği belirtilmektedir (Arrendondo 1998; Burn, 1992;İbrahim, 1991;Jakson ve Meadow, 1991;Sue, Arrendondo ve Davis, 1992;Trevino, 1996). Psikolojik danışman, danışanın dünya görüşüne ait kültürel çatışmaları çözmeyi ve danışanın kültürel farklılıklarla baş edebilmesi için yardım etmeyi sağlamalıdır (Coleman, 1997).…”