Multicultural Peer Counseling: A Developmental Perspective and Rationale

Abstract

This article focuses on the creation and growth of a peer counseling program assisting ethnic minority college students. A brief rationale of the program is offered. Problems are described and recommendations are made for subsequent program deuelopment.

Mental Health in College Populations: A Multidisciplinary Review of What Works, Evidence Gaps, and Paths Forward

“…A diverse group, alone, of course is insufficient for addressing power and privilege, multiculturalism, and stigma, but research should investigate whether mental health interventions delivered by peers representing the student body and trained in multicultural competence enhances the effectiveness, impact, and reach of such programs (Dubovi & Sawyer, 2018). In one study from the 1980s, a counseling program training ethnic minority students to be support agents and referral resources was not successful beyond promoting professional development among the student leaders (Stokes et al, 1988). Another program training multicultural peer advisors (through two sequential three-credit courses) at a diverse commuter college provides a model of peer training focused both on counseling techniques and multicultural sensitivity but was not evaluated (Frisz, 1999).…”

Multicultural peer counseling: counseling the multicultural student

“…Traditional recruitment methods (like those described by Stokes et al, 1988) are used to recruit potential peer advisors. These methods include: advertising in the campus newspaper, posters on bulletin boards, and letters to all registered student clubs and organizations.…”

“…He found that clients using the peer counseling service were able to identify with the peers, a factor that appeared to be related to clients' perceptions that peer counselors were willing to ``build bridges of communication''. Stokes et al (1988) described a counseling program developed to train ethnic minority students and student leaders to be support agents and referral resources for the mental health services offered. Assessment of the program indicated that it was successful in promoting professional growth and development among the peers but it was not as successful in reaching targeted ethnic groups as had been anticipated.…”

Toward a Developmental Understanding of the Counseling Specialty: Lessons From our Students

“…Similarly, college counseling's use of support and discussion groups serves an outreach function to students with unique developmental needs. Programs have been initiated for students of color (Stokes et al, 1988), gay and lesbian students (Hetherington, Hillerbrand, & Etringer, 1989), students with disabilities (Levinson, 1986), adult students (Arp, Holmberg, & Littrell, 1986), and students with career counseling needs (Goodyear & Healy, 1988). Psychotherapy tends to find a locus of problems within the student and thus risks an oversight of environmental and social causes of personal distress.…”