Discussing differences: Clients' perspectives of addressing cultural dissimilarity with their counselors

• Main Author: Mosher, Chad M
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-2006
• Subjects: Academic guidance counseling; Clinical psychology; Psychotherapy; School counseling
• ISBN: 1109851286; 9781109851281

Preparing and training counselors to work with culturally diverse populations has become a major focus within training programs over the past several decades. Multicultural counseling competencies (MCC) were proposed, operationalized, and formed into guidelines, and focus on developing counselors' awareness of their own and others' cultures, knowledge about diverse cultures, and use of culturally appropriate skills. While researchers investigated counseling trainees' self-awareness and knowledge, skills related to MCC and clients' perceptions of MCC were less often researched. The current qualitative research examined clients' perceptions of their counselor's skills in addressing cultural dissimilarity. In the present study, eight culturally diverse clients were interviewed, and the interviews were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Results indicate that participants were primed to notice cultural dissimilarity as they entered counseling, they valued authenticity from their counselors, and discussions of dissimilarity became vital for the establishment of the counseling relationship. Implications for training and practice related to MCC, limitations, and suggestions for future research are discussed.