Defining multicultural counseling
A definite definition of multicultural counseling is difficult to come up since the practice revolves around different aspects of human behaviors. However, an effective counselor must be in a position to recognize and respects the aspects of racial/ethnic group membership with regard to each client’s socialization standards. In cultural counseling, great emphasis is laid on client’s uniqueness and individuality as well as his or her values as formed by the social group where he or she belongs (D’Andrea & Heckman, 2008). This is referred to as the Multicultural Awareness Continuum and it is a process that develops slowly in the course of life (D’Andrea & Heckman, 2008).
The Importance of multicultural counseling and the challenges of the EST movement
According to this article, the counselors and mental health practitioners are increasing focusing on EST movements. The authors attribute this shift to the responsibilities bestowed on them to be knowledgeable in order to understand the outcomes that researchers have come up with in the ESTs. Counselors and practitioners have amoral obligation to engage in “counseling practices that are based on rigorous research methodologies” (D’Andrea & Heckman, 2008).
Another factor that has increased the rising interest in ESTs is the fact that healthcare organizations are holding counselors answerable and responsible for providing health services that have been empirically proven (D’Andrea & Heckman, 2008). Counselor just like the health practitioners are supposed to utilize methodologies that are effective in promoting clients’ health and well being (D’Andrea & Heckman, 2008). As a result, counseling practitioners who seek employment in such organizations are finding it very crucial to be updated on the types of ESTs in order to be considered as valuable asset in the organization.
Previous results of multicultural counseling outcome research
According to the previous findings in multicultural counseling, there were four main areas of concern. In the findings it was noted that clients had preferences in regard to counselors’ ethnicity and social background (D’Andrea & Heckman, 2008). Secondly the studies also reviewed counselors’ probability to be biased in their service delivery. Clients’ perceptions of counselors ‘credibility was also a matter of concern.
Previous researches discovered that this could influence the outcomes of multicultural counseling (D’Andrea & Heckman, 2008). Lastly, different aspects of counseling outcome were used as independent variables in several researches (D’Andrea & Heckman, 2008). According to the outcome in the previous researches, it was found that client-counselor racial/ethical and language similarities had significant influence on the clients’ emotional and mental performance (D’Andrea & Heckman, 2008).
Research review
This research was carried out using the deductive process and the reviews done were computer based (Baruth & Manning, 2012). This was important in order to get the accurate number of counseling and psychotherapy outcome studies were available between 1969 and the year 2007 (Baruth & Manning, 2012). The article is a review of professional literature published in the last forty years.
Conclusion
This is a critical analysis of counseling literature aimed at developing reviewing article skills. The paper critically examined the article to understand the main arguments and authors points of view in regard to multicultural counseling. The paper has defined the broad meaning of multicultural counseling by outlining the qualities of an effective practitioner.
In addition, the importance and significance of multicultural counseling has also been succinctly defined. There have been previous researches on multicultural counseling ad their outcomes have been also included in this essay. Lastly, the paper has conclusively discussed the authenticity of the article by reviewing its sources and research methods.
References
Baruth, L. G., & Manning, M. L. (2012). Multicultural counseling and psychotherapy: A lifespan approach. New York, NY: Pearson. Web.
D’Andrea, M., & Heckman. E. F. (2008). Present & Future Challenges. Journal of Counseling & Development Summer, 86(1): 356-363. Web.