This document discusses best practices for incorporating a client's culture into counseling. It recommends that counselors suspend preconceptions, engage clients in discussions about race and ethnicity, and acknowledge how cultural differences may affect the counseling process. Counselors should recognize how power dynamics and racism can influence interactions, remain open to ongoing learning, and allow clients to educate them about relevant aspects of their culture. The document emphasizes that incorporating culture is important for all clients, not just those from specific backgrounds, and counselors should take a client's full cultural background into account.

1. INCORPORATING CULTURE IN
COUNSELING PRACTICE
Submitted to:
Prof. Agnes Montalbo
Rizal Technological University
Submitted by:
Lady Cris Ann G. Mercado

2. • Suspend preconceptions about
client’s race/ethnicity and that of
their family members.
• Engage clients in conversation
about race and ethnicity to avoid
stereo typing and making faulty
assumptions.
• Acknowledge how racial/ethnic
differences between therapist and
client might affect the process.

3. • Acknowledge that power, privilege
and racism can affect the
interactions with clients.
• Recognize that the more
comfortable therapist are with
conversation about race and
ethnicity, the more they can
respond appropriate to clients who
may be uncomfortable with such
discussions.

4. • Remain open to on going learning
about the various dimensions of
culture and how they may affect
therapeutic work.
• It is unrealistic expect a counselor
to know everything about the
cultural background of a client, but
some understanding of client
cultural and ethnic background is
essential.

5. • There is much to be said for letting
clients teach counselor about
relevant aspect of their culture.
• It is a good idea for counselors to
ask clients to provide them
information they will need to work
effectively.

6. • Incorporating culture into the
therapeutic process is not limited
to working with clients from a
certain ethnic or cultural
background.
• It is critical that therapist take
into account the background of
the client.

7. WELCOMING DIVERSITY
Counseling is by its very nature diverse in a
multicultural society, it is easy to see that there are
no ideal therapeutic approaches. Some therapeutic
approaches have limitations when applied to
certain population.

8. WELCOMING DIVERSITY
Effective multicultural practice demands an
open stance on the part of the practitioner,
flexibility, and willingness to modify strategies to fit
the needs and the situation of the individual client.
Practitioner who truly respect their clients will be
aware of clients hesitations and will not be too
quick to misinterpret this behaviour.

9. • Psychologist are encouraged to
recognize that, as cultural beings
may hold attitudes and beliefs.
• Psychologist are encouraged to
recognized the importance of
multicultural sensitivity,
responsiveness and understanding
about the ethnicity and racially
different individuals
MULTICULTURAL GUIDELINES

10. • Psychologist are encourage to
employ the construct of
multiculturalism and diversity in
psychological education.
• Psychologist are encourage to
recognized the importance of
conducting culture-centered and
ethnical psychological research.
MULTICULTURAL GUIDELINES

11. • Psychologist are encouraged to
apply culturally appropriate
skills in clinical and other
applied psychological
practices.
MULTICULTURAL GUIDELINES

12. • Learn more about how your own
cultural background has influenced
your thinking and behaving.
• Identify your basic assumptions,
especially as they apply to diversity in
culture, ethnicity, race gender, class,
spirituality, religion and sexual
orientation.
Some additional practical guidelines

13. • Examined where you obtained your
knowledge about culture.
• Learn to pay attention to the
common ground that exist among
people of diverse background.
Some additional practical guidelines

14. • Be flexible in applying the methods
you use with the clients.
• Remember that practicing from a
multicultural perspective can make
your job easier and can be rewarding
for both you and your clients.
Some additional practical guidelines