White Counselor Self‐Awareness: A Prerequisite for Developing Multicultural Competence

Abstract

This review of the literature examines White counselor self-awareness as an important variable in developing multicultural competence. The self-dimension discussed in this article includes worldview, cultural values, and racial identity. It is suggested that counselor self-awareness is a prerequisite to developing multicultural competence and that an in-depth understanding of these factors may improve the delivery of mental health services to culturally diverse client populations. he cultural value system inherent in traditional counseling the-Electronic Journal: To print this article select pages 14-18. TOC

Understanding Gender and Culture Within the Context of Spirituality: Implications for Counselors

“…Robinson and Howard-Hamilton also revealed that making assumptions based on a monocultural perspective, a view that diminishes an individual's personal and social reality, is potentially unethical practice and could cause psychological harm. Richardson and Molinaro (1996) reaffirmed what many prior writers have stated; namely, that becoming aware of one's own worldview and culture is a necessary precondition for escaping ethnocentrism. Overcoming one's own biases and prejudices recycles the old adage, "Counselor, know thyself."…”

Individual and cultural‐diversity competency: Focus on the therapist

“…Self-awareness requires a therapist's understanding of the interface between therapist and client worldviews; therapist self-examination of reactions to race, sexual orientation, and ageism along with issues of defensiveness, racial-identity attitudes, White privilege, and differential power status in therapy; and how these impact the client (Richardson & Molinaro, 1996;Roysircar, 2003). Self-assessment to identify attitudes and behaviors may include the use of self-report standardized measures, journaling, process notes, self-reflection skills, and critical incidents (Brislin, 1986;Carter, 2003;Pedersen, 1994;Roysircar et al, 2003).…”

Using Narrative Approaches to Teach Multicultural Counseling

“…This is a particularly important exercise for White students, many of whom have never thought about their own race and its implications for relationships with others, especially people of color. The inclusion of theory and research related to White Racial Identity (Helms, 1995) or White Counselor Self-Awareness (Richardson & Molinaro, 1996) is critical in order for such an exercise to be effective with White students. Sue, h e n d o n d o , and McDavis (1992) wrote that ethical standards of multicultural competency for White students mean that they "understand how they may have directly or indirectly benefited from individual, institutional, and cultural racism (White identity development models)" (p. 482).…”