How can therapists provide more culturally attuned care? That's the central question we tackle in this episode on multicultural competency in therapy. We promise you'll come away with actionable insights for adapting your therapeutic approach to better align with your clients' unique cultural backgrounds. We delve into the case of Seo Joon, a first-generation Korean-American who struggles with the competing demands of his family's traditional values and his desire for independence. By understanding the collectivistic nature of Korean culture, the concept of filial piety, and the significance of education and professional success, therapists can create more effective and respectful treatment plans.
We also turn the mirror on ourselves, examining how our own cultural biases and assumptions can impact our work. Understanding values like family, individuality, and success from different cultural perspectives is crucial for building trust and fostering a supportive therapeutic environment. We'll share practical steps you can take, such as consulting with colleagues, reading relevant literature, and immersing yourself in cultural events. By inviting clients to educate us about their cultural backgrounds, we foster a more inclusive and empathetic practice. Join us as we explore how to make our therapeutic practices more culturally competent and enrich the lives of those we serve.
If you need to study for your national licensing exam, try the free samplers at: LicensureExams
This podcast is not associated with the NBCC, AMFTRB, ASW, ANCC, NASP, NAADAC, CCMC, NCPG, CRCC, or any state or governmental agency responsible for licensure.
How can therapists provide more culturally attuned care? That's the central question we tackle in this episode on multicultural competency in therapy. We promise you'll come away with actionable insights for adapting your therapeutic approach to better align with your clients' unique cultural backgrounds. We delve into the case of Seo Joon, a first-generation Korean-American who struggles with the competing demands of his family's traditional values and his desire for independence. By understanding the collectivistic nature of Korean culture, the concept of filial piety, and the significance of education and professional success, therapists can create more effective and respectful treatment plans.
We also turn the mirror on ourselves, examining how our own cultural biases and assumptions can impact our work. Understanding values like family, individuality, and success from different cultural perspectives is crucial for building trust and fostering a supportive therapeutic environment. We'll share practical steps you can take, such as consulting with colleagues, reading relevant literature, and immersing yourself in cultural events. By inviting clients to educate us about their cultural backgrounds, we foster a more inclusive and empathetic practice. Join us as we explore how to make our therapeutic practices more culturally competent and enrich the lives of those we serve.
If you need to study for your national licensing exam, try the free samplers at: LicensureExams
This podcast is not associated with the NBCC, AMFTRB, ASW, ANCC, NASP, NAADAC, CCMC, NCPG, CRCC, or any state or governmental agency responsible for licensure.
Stacy:
Hi and welcome to our Licensure Exams podcast. I'm Stacey Frost and I'm with my co-host, dr Linton Hutchinson. So, linton, how's everything going down in Florida?
Linton:
Well, there's a lot of oka over here at the beach and I just hope it doesn't escalate into a thagilaba, resulting in a olalova, and we can end up floating out the sea.
Stacy:
Hmm, sounds like you're channeling past Linton, who taught counseling at the University of the South Pacific in the Fiji Islands.
Linton:
Yep, you got it, Stacey.
Stacy:
Okay, so what did you just say now in Fijian?
Linton:
Well, you know how, sometimes when you go to the movie and there's little trailers at the end.
Stacy:
Yeah.
Linton:
Well, you're just going to have to wait until the end of the podcast and see.
Stacy:
All right, sounds good.
Linton:
Well, in today's episode, we're going to be talking about multicultural competency, which is a topic you need to know about when you're studying for your exam. We're also going to be looking into some cases with clients, where we talk about the knowledge and skills that you need to work effectively with clients from different cultural backgrounds.
Stacy:
That's right, and every client brings a unique set of cultural identities, values and experiences into the therapy room, and these cultural factors profoundly shape their worldview, their communication style, expressions of distress, their coping mechanisms and their expectations for treatment. Now, as a therapist, if you don't have multicultural competence, you may inadvertently impose your own cultural bias, misinterpret a culturally bound symptom or use interventions that aren't meaningful or really relevant to the client's cultural context, and this can lead to poor therapeutic alliance, misdiagnosis and poor treatment outcomes. Now, if you're practicing cultural sensitivity, this means that you can adapt your approach to align with each of your client's cultural needs and preferences. You're using your cultural knowledge and skills to build trust, convey understanding and create a treatment plan that considers the client's cultural strengths and resources so if you're from michigan, is that considered like a cultural kind of a thing?
Stacy:
well, I just like florida is considered a cultural thing oh man, so many weird things happen in Florida.
Linton:
It's got to be, you know.
Stacy:
Yes, I remember Florida man and reading about Florida man in the newspaper.
Linton:
Oh gosh. Okay, Well, let's take a peek into some specific cases to illustrate what multicultural competency looks like in practice. Okay, All right. Imagine that you're working with a 20-year-old client named Sojoon, who is a first generation Korean-American. So he expresses feelings of guilt and shame during the therapy session, and basically it's related to his struggles to balance his family's traditional values because they just came over with his own desires for his own independence. He tells you that his parents are always pushing him to excel in his studies and to choose a career that they approve of. They also want him to live at home until he's married and perhaps stay in the household as an extended family member and along with his wife. Can you imagine that, Stacey?
Stacy:
Yeah, the multi-generational family. I got it yeah.
Linton:
But now he wants to move out from his parents and take some time off from school and then figure out what he really wants to do with his life. Every time he brings it up to his parents, they get really upset and say things like oh, you're being so selfish and you're not considering the family, and it makes him really feel like he's a real bad son. So what are some of the cultural factors that you would need to consider in this case, Stacey?
Stacy:
Okay, so one important cultural factor to be aware of is the central role of family. Korean culture tends to be a highly collectivistic, emphasizing filial piety, which is respect for parents and elders, and family dynamics and hierarchy really have a big influence on things like decision-making, expression of emotions and help-seeking behaviors, as you well know, linton, from watching all these exciting Korean dramas.
Linton:
I know I watch those because it's so difficult to figure out what the heck's going on emotionally. But no kidding, korean dramas certainly do showcase the importance of family bonds and respect for the elders that they have. Even to this day, children are expected to obey and honor their parents' wishes. Even as adults, the concept of filial devotion is deeply, deeply ingrained. So for Seo Joon, going against his parents' expectations about his career and living situation is not just a matter of his own personal preference, but can feel more for him like a moral failing, like he's really being a bad son.
Stacy:
And there's also that collectivistic nature of Korean culture where the needs and the reputation of the family unit often take precedence over one's individual desires. Seo Joon's parents' concern about him being selfish and not considering the family reflects this cultural value. And you know, in their eyes, his duty is to bring honor and success to the family, even if it means sacrificing his own personal dreams.
Linton:
Yeah Well, another factor is the high value placed on education and professional achievement in most Korean families. Pressure to excel academically and secure a prestigious, high-earning career can be really intense, so Sojun's desire to take off time from school and figure out his own path considered by his parents to be really risky and shameful.
Stacy:
So, with all that, linton, how would you approach a case like this on the exam? What actions would you take that would demonstrate cultural sensitivity?
Linton:
Okay, well, let's say you don't know much about Korean culture. First of all, you need to take some time to learn about key cultural values and norms that may be relevant to the Sojun situation. You could do what? Well, you can consult with colleagues who have experience working with Korean-American clients. See if you can pick up some books or articles about Korean history, culture, values. Look for educational opportunities through a university or community organization on Korean culture. Immense yourself in the Korean community by attending cultural events and festivals or, my favorite, just watch some Korean films or documentaries.
Stacy:
Good one. Well, you also want to take some time to explore your own cultural biases and assumptions. So consider how your values and your beliefs about family, individuality, success, et cetera those types of things might differ from or overlap with those of Korean culture.
Linton:
Right, and don't forget, you've got a wealth of knowledge right there in your client. You can ask questions and learn more about how his family and cultural background are affecting him. You could ask him what it was like growing up for him and how his family's values and expectations influenced him as a young adult.
Stacy:
So, when it comes to cultural competency, be willing to admit what you don't know and invite your client to educate you, all adult. So, when it comes to cultural competency, be willing to admit what you don't know and invite your client to educate you, all right. So how about one more case, linton, and I think this one is right down your alley.
Linton:
What do you mean?
Stacy:
Ah yes, well, you just wait, here it goes.
Linton:
All right.
Stacy:
All right, imagine you're working with a 28 year old Fijian woman named Lonnie. She recently immigrated to the United States to pursue a graduate degree in business administration. Lani has been struggling with anxiety and homesickness and she's decided to seek counseling at her university's mental health center. In your first session, lani shares that she comes from a tight-knit village community and where everyone relies on each other for support and resources. She explains that in her culture there's a practice called carry carry, which involves the sharing of goods and services among family and community members without this expectation of repayment. If someone needs something, they can simply ask for it and it's expected that the request will be fulfilled, and it's considered impolite to refuse such requests.
Stacy:
Now Lonnie expresses feeling guilty for being away from her family and for not being able to contribute to them. She worries that her relatives might view her as being selfish for pursuing her own goals and not being available to help with community and family obligations. Additionally, lonnie mentions that she's having to the more individualistic culture of the United States. She feels isolated and she misses that sense of community and interdependence that she was used to. Lonnie also shares that she's experiencing physical symptoms of stress, like headaches and digestive issues, which she attributes to being separated from her land, family and community. At the end of the session, lonnie becomes emotional and expresses doubt about whether she's really made the right decision in coming to the United States. She wonders if she should return home to VT Luvu to be with her family and fulfill her cultural obligations. All right. So, lyndon, how would you approach Lonnie's situation from a culturally responsive perspective?
Linton:
Wow, wow. There's a lot to consider there, yeah, taking into consideration Lani's cultural background. First, the practice of carry-carry that she described is really a fundamental aspect of Fijian culture and social structure. Carry-carry is based on the principle of reciprocity and the belief that individual needs are best met through collective sharing and support. For Lonnie, being away from her community may feel like a profound loss and I'm sure she's grieving and it's a disruption to her sense of identity and her sense of purpose. So, as your therapist, you would want to validate Lonnie's feelings of guilt and conflict around pursuing her individual goals, which has separated her from her family and community. I might say something like Lonnie, I can imagine how difficult it must be to feel torn between your dreams of getting an education and your desire to be there for your loved ones back home. In your culture, contributing to your family and village is a core value and expectations. It's understandable that being apart from this would evoke some conflicting emotions for you.
Stacy:
Well, that's a great start and, as you're building rapport with Lonnie, would a little bit of self-disclosure, like the fact that you lived in the Fiji Islands, linton, would that be appropriate?
Linton:
Yeah well, that's a good ethical question, actually, and it's one that you may find on your exam. So the decision to self-disclose depends on whether or whether not it benefits the client. That's the key here. If Lonnie's case sharing that I've lived in the Fiji Islands might make her feel understood and more comfortable and opened up about her cultural background and experience, that would be something that I would do. However, it's essential to ensure that any self-disclosure is brief and focused on the client. You're not there to regale your client with tales of partaking in traditional kava ceremonies with all of your staff members at the University of the South Pacific.
Stacy:
Kava huh. Doesn't that have a mild euphoric effect, made from a plant root that you know promotes a feeling of empathy, social ability, communal bonding. Doesn't it kind of look like muddy water?
Linton:
Well, well, yes, it does both and it does, stacey, look a bit dark. In fact, every day at the uni, the faculty would get together for our mandatory afternoon tea, where we would have to have kava, followed by a light snack of scones and biscuits. English, you know. Kava is served from a wooden bowl called a canova, using a communal coconut shell as the cup. Everyone drinks from the same cup. Fijian culture uses the kava ceremony in all social settings to promote a sense of community well, that bit there.
Stacy:
You said about everyone drinking from the same coconut shell. Knowing your phobia is linton, I'll bet you race to be the first one to drink from the coconut you think so stacy?
Linton:
but uh, fat chance. Drinking fava follows a strict protocol where the department head, or if someone is important as their visitor, they go first, and me being like the last one hired there in the department, guess what? Yeah, I was usually last in line.
Stacy:
Well, talk about systematic desensitization. Well, tell me what's it tastes like? I'm guessing it's not quite the same as that stress relief kava tea you can buy at Publix, right?
Linton:
Right? Well, let's just say that the consumption of kava is an acquired taste. It's sort of the same way beer is here in the States. Now back to Lonnie.
Stacy:
Oh right, we were talking about Lonnie's issues, not your taste preferences.
Linton:
Well, actually, stacey, I've never finished a whole glass of beer, so I've sipped it and I can attest that drinking beer has got to be an acquired taste, not like some folks. I know that washed down a huge helping of sauerkraut with a pint of Beck's beer, all right.
Stacy:
Touche Linton. All right, Touché Linton.
Linton:
So, after using minimal self-disclosure appropriately, how would you proceed with Alani after that? Well, you'd explore how Alani's experience has shaped her sense of self and relationships. You might ask what did it feel like growing up in a community where everyone looks out for everyone else and shares what they have? How has that influenced the way you view your responsibilities and connections to others now?
Stacy:
Okay, good, and once you've obtained a deeper understanding of how her cultural background has shaped her worldview, what would you do next?
Linton:
Well then you would shift the conversation to her feelings of hope and sickness and anxiety, asking open-ended questions like what do you miss the most about your home? Are there any specific rituals or activities that bring you comfort when you feel homesick? This would sort of help her identify elements of her culture that she can try to incorporate in her life here in the United States.
Stacy:
And suggesting that you drink kava every time that she feels homesick is probably not the best solution Probably not.
Linton:
Stacey, it's probably not the best idea, but it's more about finding ways to adapt her cultural practice in a supportive and practical manner. You can develop a plan to integrate those practices into her life. For example, if she does find comfort in certain rituals, you can talk about how she might adapt or maintain those practices while she lives here. This could involve connecting with a local Fujian community, hosting a lovo feast, cooking food underground using heated stones or participating in online cultural events. Ultimately, your aim would be to help Lonnie find a sense of balance and integration between her Fijian identity and values and her new experiences and aspirations. Stacey, can you give us some more methods that a therapist could employ?
Stacy:
Okay. So here are some methods that should be at the forefront during a therapy session with a client who comes from a different cultural background than yours. Cultural competence training Therapists should pursue ongoing education and training to enhance their knowledge and understanding of various cultures, customs and beliefs. Another method is involving family and community. So, when appropriate, consider involving family members or important figures from the client's community to foster a more culturally sensitive and supportive environment. Another method is to address language barriers. When necessary, collaborate with qualified interpreters or translate materials to ensure effective communication and understanding. You've also got to recognize and address power dynamics, so be aware of potential power imbalances based on cultural differences and work to create an equitable and collaborative therapeutic relationship.
Stacy:
All right, it should go without saying, but I'm going to say it Open and honest, respectful communication is key. Encourage open dialogue about the client's cultural background, values and beliefs, and demonstrate respect for their perspectives, even if they're very different than your own Self-awareness. So, as therapists, you should be aware of your own cultural background, biases and assumptions and work to minimize the impact that these have on the therapeutic relationship. Active listening is another method, so practice active listening and empathy to better understand your client's unique experiences and where they're coming from and be willing to adapt therapeutic approaches so you can be flexible in adapting different therapeutic techniques and interventions to better suit your client's cultural needs and their preferences. Another fun one is using culturally relevant examples and metaphors. I love a good metaphor, so incorporate culturally relevant examples, stories or metaphors to help the client relate to and engage with the therapeutic process. And finally, continuously learn and seek feedback. Commit to ongoing learning about cultural diversity and actively seek your client's feedback to improve your cultural sensitivity and practice. All right, linton, can you give us a quick recap?
Linton:
Yeah, I can. It seems like you just did, but Sure thing. We emphasize the need for therapists to be culturally competent to avoid imposing their cultural biases and provide effective and respectful care to clients from diverse backgrounds, and we discuss strategies for therapists to become more culturally competent, including learning about relevant cultural values and norms, exploring personal biases and engaging with the client's cultural background through open-ended questions.
Stacy:
And we hope you found today's topic on multicultural competency helpful as you prepare for your exam. Thanks for tuning in and until our next podcast, remember.
Linton:
It's in there, okay.
Stacy:
All right Now, Linton, what in the world is an Uka?
Linton:
That's Fijian for rain. And guess what Thaigilaaba is?
Stacy:
Okay Rain, tornado.
Linton:
Nope, guess again.
Stacy:
Let's see Hurricane.
Linton:
Right, right and what use it?
Stacy:
comes with hurricanes. Lots of wind.
Linton:
And lots of water, and that's what Ula Lovu means water.
Stacy:
Okay, wait a minute here. Are you sure you're not just making these words up?
