Thesis statement Multicultural competence is a necessary skill for a professional counsellor to succeed in working with mental health patients.

Introduction

Multicultural counselling refers to situations when a professional counsellor handles patients from different cultural groups and how such interaction holds the potential to interfere with what transpires in the course of their counsellor –patient relationship. The difference in culture is extended to cover differences in religion, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic class, age, geographic location and family history. Effective multicultural counselling calls for the professional to, firstly, acknowledge the existence of such differences between them and the mental health disorder patient (Faculty, 2014).

The necessary steps to attain cultural competence

How to understand and address problems in multicultural counselling setting

Acknowledging cultural differences is an effective tool that counsellors can utilize to handle patients from other cultural up-bringing. A counsellor must engage the mental health patient in such a way that the patient will not think that their difference will interfere with the counsellor’s ability to offer useful professional assistance. A counsellor may achieve rapport by expressing interest in learning more about the patient and respecting...

Culturally sensitive interventions are only possible after learning of, and addressing the realities of the mental health disorder patient (Faculty, 2014).
How to identify differences in culture

The first issue that must be dealt with from the onset is the reason why a mental health patient has visited a counsellor. The classic western approach in which the counsellor seeks a direct answer is incompatible with a lot of cultures. The Western approach includes eye contact, body language and the use of open ended questions. In experience, Americans of Asian descent find such a technique lacking in politeness. Similarly, Native Americans view the approach as rather invasive. Effective counselling cannot afford to ignore the need to recognize cultural differences and to establish trust between the counsellor and the mental health disorder patient (Faculty, 2014).

The role of self

In order to become a professionally culturally competent counsellor, one must practice self reflection. You must begin by identifying your world view and the personal beliefs you hold about other people. The process is useful in revealing the prejudices you might be holding, stereotypes and beliefs about other cultures. If you wish to progress in your practice as a counsellor and…