The Cross-Cultural Practicum Training Experiences of Asian International Counseling Students

Abstract

Despite the call to internationalize counseling psychology and calls for improved mentoring to Asian international students enrolled in counseling psychology training programs, there is a dearth of literature to help trainers understand this population’s clinical training experiences. The present study explored the practicum experiences of Asian international students ( N = 10) in counseling psychology programs using the consensual qualitative research method. Data analysis yielded five domains: Learning Outcomes, Challenges, Resources, Behavioral Strategies, and Suggestions. Participants described how they navigated their cross-cultural practicum training in the face of unique challenges and how they adapted, as well as relied on support systems. As our participants reflected on their cross-cultural clinical training experiences, they shared the lessons they learned and provided suggestions for current and future international students, supervisors, and programs. Scholarly and practical implications for this population are discussed.

From zen to stigma: Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and their cross‐cultural links to mental health

“…Thus, the current findings could help advance clinical training in the United States by going beyond collectivism/individualism cultural distinctions to provide more nuanced insights into some of the cultural factors (i.e., the three teachings) likely to have the strongest influences on mental health stigma and help seeking. Familiarizing trainees and supervisors on these teachings and their representations in day‐to‐day life could markedly enhance their ability to connect with and covey empathy for their East Asian clients and students (Chung & Bemak, 2002; Lee et al., 2022). The current results could provide a foundation for developing a culture‐specific clinical training approach (Leung & Chen, 2009), thereby advancing the work that aligns with the concept of SDMH (Lenz & Lemberger‐Truelove, 2023).…”

The Design Of Cultural Awareness Development Model Based On Indonesian Culture On Guidance And Counseling Students

“…The use of the cultural awareness model based on Indonesian culture increases students' awareness about various mistakes have made in cross-cultural counseling practices, especially the thing related to cultural awareness. Increasing a sense of belonging to the culture adopted and acknowledging and respecting other cultures that are around needs to be done by counselors to be able to deal with counselees that have the different cultures (Lee, H. S., Knutson, D., & Keyes, 2022); (Bernard J. M., 2015). Counselors can examine the counselee's lifestyle to further increase cultural awareness in the implementation of cross-cultural counseling.…”

Facilitating the Professional Development of International Counseling Psychology Students: Introduction to Special Issue

“…In the other clinical-based study, Lee et al (2022 [this issue]) examined the preinternship clinical training experiences of 10 Asian international doctoral students. Their analyses identified five domains: learning outcomes, challenges, resources, behavioral strategies, and suggestions.…”