Multicultural Theories of Psychotherapy: Core Concepts

Introduction

Diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients and their conditions are greatly influenced by cultural considerations. These factors determine beliefs and values related to health. Yet widespread claims about the real value of culture's role in healthcare do not always come with a sufficient research basis. Psychotherapists have, for a long time, emphasized the need to provide multicultural psychotherapy in order to manage and reduce the ethnic and racial disparities involved in addressing mental health issues. How multicultural competencies relate to other clinical process measures and treatment results has demonstrated heterogeneity in effect, however (Karen W. Tao & Jesse Owen, 2015).

A notable quote by Slavoj Žižek on multiculturalism is worth mentioning here: "For the multiculturalist, white Anglo-Saxon Protestants are prohibited, Italians and Irish get a little respect, blacks are good, native Americans are even better. The further away we go, the more they deserve respect. This is a kind of inverted, patronizing respect that puts everyone at a distance."

Basic Components of Multicultural Theory

Multicultural counseling entails the interaction that occurs between a professional counselor and a client from a cultural group different from the counselor's, and how such interaction might be affected by differing cultural perspectives. The definition includes differences in religious views, sexual orientation, maturity, age, gender, socioeconomic status, family history, and geographical location. The main components of the theory are outlined below (FIVE IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING COMPETENCIES, 2014).

Recognizing Cultural Differences

Discussing the cause of the visit is one of the first things a counselor addresses with a client. The western-style approach of directly interrogating the problem is incompatible with a good number of cultures across the globe. The technique typically entails the use of direct eye contact, body language, and open-ended questions. It has been noted that recognizing cultural differences and responding to them in a sensitive way is a crucial element in effective counseling (FIVE IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING COMPETENCIES, 2014).

Role of Self

Open-mindedness and willingness to expand one's education are effective strategies toward successfully working with clients from diverse backgrounds. Self-awareness is a continuous practice that allows one to accommodate new knowledge and apply it for the benefit of both the profession and its clients (FIVE IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING COMPETENCIES, 2014).

Contextualism

This concept refers to the tendency to describe oneself and others by applying context-relevant references as much as possible and dispositional ones as little as possible (Lillian Comas-Diaz, 2012). Therefore, multiculturally contextualizing individuals are bound by context — they apply their own perspective to analyze their reality.

Liberation

Liberation and freedom are basic humanistic values. Multicultural therapy promotes freedom, both personally and collectively. One liberates oneself by liberating other people; it is a collective effort. Healing and liberation require a commitment to social justice. Accordingly, multicultural therapists apply liberation techniques as a core part of their practice (Lillian Comas-Diaz, 2012).

Multicultural Competencies

Although there are differences in theoretical views, conceptions of multicultural therapy recognize that suitable ways of handling specific cultural situations vary between therapists. Available data suggests that higher ratings of multicultural competence among therapists are linked to improved treatment processes and client outcomes. Studies exploring the relationship between multicultural competency (MC) and the psychotherapy process use client ratings of the therapist; these results are then compared to outcomes reported by other clients. Studies in MC show that high client ratings are linked to critical therapeutic processes, including general counseling competence, working alliance, session impact, and client satisfaction. It is likely that such associations vary across the treatment process measures applied, the outcomes examined, and the type of MC measure used — whether direct or indirect (Karen W. Tao & Jesse Owen, 2015).

The inference drawn by Katz in his dissertation advances a relevant view: "Only reduced prejudice, in combination with awareness of one's racial attitudes, might be a protective factor in working with minority clients" (Katz, 2012).

Apart from the variability observed in effects due to the MC outcome or measure, there exist other variables that could moderate the relationship between psychotherapeutic process outcomes and MC. These include demographic factors such as the racial-ethnic minority (R-EM) status of the client, gender, and age. MC has been cited as most critical when working with ethnic and racial minorities compared to clients of white origin. For instance, clients' R-EM status has been shown to influence how they perceive the MC of their therapist and their satisfaction ratings. Such arguments contrast with other views suggesting that MC is essential for every client regardless of their ethnic or racial background. Clients often hold multicultural identities, and all of these identities may be significant in the therapeutic context (Karen W. Tao & Jesse Owen, 2015).

Conclusion

It is evident that multicultural theories of psychotherapy are gaining ground, effectiveness, and popularity. One of the well-documented difficulties patients face in seeking therapy services is posed by cultural factors. Culture influences the degree to which any given therapy will be effective. Approaching psychotherapy from a multicultural perspective opens a world of possibilities and allows counselors to be genuinely accommodating. As shown above, such an approach focuses on a client's personal, social, cultural, and environmental influences that may be unique to their situation. Helping clients become aware of the cultural influences at play in their lives also aids them in appreciating a broader world of possibilities.

It would be counterproductive to impose theories on clients when those theories are in direct conflict with everything the clients have known throughout their lives. Multicultural theories of psychotherapy are supported by sufficient evidence that patients respond better to therapies that involve them and incorporate their own perspectives. Patients tend to demonstrate a higher degree of adherence because they develop a sense of ownership over the choices made. The four factors that influence the effectiveness of multicultural therapy provide a practical framework for practitioners. The secret lies in incorporating new techniques into the unique situations each client presents. Ultimately, multicultural theories of psychotherapy are among the most effective approaches available because they allow for a flexible application of a wide range of theories as dictated by the individual circumstances of the client.

References

FIVE IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING COMPETENCIES. (2014, July 29). Retrieved from Delaware Valley University: http://www.delval.edu/blog/five-important-aspects-of-multicultural-counseling-competencies

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