Running Head: THE TRANSFORMATION OF COUNSELING THROUGH GLOBALIZATION

The Transformation of Counseling through Globalization

A Literature Review

Cami Lynn Woodruff

Arkansas Tech University

PS 4003: Capstone Project

Dr. Jennifer Saxton

April 18, 2017

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Introduction:

Historically, counseling was considered by the general population as more of an ethno-European

American benefit or crutch for navigation through difficult seasons of time. Despite this preconceived

bias and assumptions through the years as America has become more ethnically diverse views have

changed towards counseling (Lorelle, Byrd, & Crockett, 2012). However due to sociocultural

differences in our diverse population as counseling has become more accepted the practice and

implementation of counseling has become more challenging (Worthington & Dillon, 2011). Essentially,

world view can shift between cultures and finding the connection within a world view can help client and

counselor connection (Ridley & Shaw-Ridley, 2011).

There is important significance associated with both connection and

understanding of culture and cultural barriers as Americas minority will

become the new majority by 2020. According to the United States Census

Bureau, more than half of the nations children are expected to be part of a

minority race or ethnic group by 2020 (New census bureau report analyzes

u.s. population projections, 2015).

The chief objective of this literature review is to inform the public of what cross cultural

barriers are in counseling, what techniques are suggested to compensate for these differences,

and how this will affect counseling as a whole.

Literature Review:

The primary purpose of this review is to provide a deeper understanding of cultural

barriers in counseling, suggested techniques to overcome those barriers, and the long term affects

these changes will have on counselors. All information for this review is provided by peer

reviewed journals from the American Counseling Association or The Professional Counselor
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Journal. The search criteria utilized for finding these journals were cross cultural counseling

and globalization in counseling.

Cultural Barriers:

Ironically most people are not aware of the cultural barriers that both affect world view

and counseling generally. Essentially there is a dynamic interplay that exists between dominant

and individual culture (Lorelle, Byrd, & Crockett, 2012). Likewise, the research associated with

cross cultural counseling is still in infancy according to most researchers (Ridley & Shaw-

Ridley, 2011).

Many times counselors can be racial/ethnic minority individuals have a tendency to end

counseling prematurely. This can be due to microaggressions in counseling due to racism.

These aggressions are subtle but there are prevalent to create microassults and

microinvalidations in counseling of racial/ethnic minorities or REMs (Hook, Farrell, Davis,

DeBlaere, Tongeren, & Utsey, 2016). Because there are true experiences

with racism and other feelings towards racial-cultural issues implications of

hypersensitivity can and will affect patient and counselor relationship

(Hook, Farrell, Davis, DeBlaere, Tongeren, & Utsey, 2016). Although the

counselor is unaware of their bias or inexperience with cultural barriers it

does affect the relationship they have with their patients. More than half of

REMs that were in a study experienced these microaggresions within

counseling sessions. Denial of stereotypes or discussions of current cultural

issues affected if counselors possessed microaggresions in one study (Hook,

Farrell, Davis, DeBlaere, Tongeren, & Utsey, 2016).

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Cultural Coping:

There are many suggestions to overcoming cultural barriers in

counseling. Essentially, taking into account personal experience and

perspective when going into cross cultural counseling will help (Lorelle, Byrd, &

Crockett, 2012). Many times multicultural counseling competencies could be considered

outdated or in need of change in recent years (Worthington & Dillon, 2011). There is

subconscious bias that can occur although most counselors are unaware of it when entering a

counseling session that will need to be overcome to accomplish the goal of rehabilitation of a

patient. Counselors being introspect of their own personal racial stereotypes and their

avoidance in discussing cultural issues can help improve client and counselor relationships

(Hook, Farrell, Davis, DeBlaere, Tongeren, & Utsey, 2016). Cultural humility

can help relationships in counseling which means the counselor is willing to

admit when they are not fully informed on the clients culture or are unaware

of cultural expectations (Hook, Farrell, Davis, DeBlaere, Tongeren, & Utsey,

2016). Training in courses on global perspective could help patient and

counselor relationship as well (Lorelle, Byrd, & Crockett, 2012).

Cultural Diversity in Counseling Long Term:

Cultural barriers are breaking down for counseling because of this

Euro-American assumptions on counseling theories will need to change to

as the culture of counseling changes to be successful including the

individualization promoted in some American cultural circles (Lorelle, Byrd, &

Crockett, 2012). There is great significance in the implications associated with acceptance of

mental health counseling to minorities (Lorelle, Byrd, & Crockett, 2012). Things that are
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accepted in modern American counseling could affect how cultures and individuals act as a

whole. These relationships formed with patient to counselor can be a catalyst for change within

society (Lorelle, Byrd, & Crockett, 2012).

Conclusion:

Although there has been extensive research on cross cultural

counseling it is just in the beginning stages of study (Ridley & Shaw-Ridley, 2011).

Counseling has a new opportunity in working with people of minority groups that have not been

counseled before. This potentially could provide the ability for counselors to help in the healing

process of different cultures one individual at a time. However, until there is more of a broad

understanding of cross cultural views and approaches there will be difficulty retaining patients

and this will only be accomplished through time. Only time will tell how much of a global

impact counseling will have as each culture is more willing to participate.

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References:

Hook J. N., Farrell J. E., Davis D. E., DeBlaere C., Van Tongeren D. R., & Utsey
S. O. (2016). Cultural humility and racial microaggressions in counseling.
Journal of Counseling Psychology, 63(3) 269277.

Lorelle S., Byrd R., & Crockett S.(2012) Globalization and counseling: professional issues for
counselors. The Professional Counselor: Research and Practice, 2(2) 115-123.

New Census Bureau Report Analyzes U.S. Population Projections (2015, March). Retrieved
March 18 2017, from https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2015/cb15-tps16.html

Ridley C. R. & Shaw-Ridley M. (2011) Multicultural counseling competencies:

an analysis of research on clients perceptions: comment on owen, leach, wampold, and rodolfa.
Journal of Counseling Psychology, 58(1) 1621.

Worthington R. L., & Dillon F. R.(2011) Deconstructing multicultural counseling competencies

research: comment on owen, leach, wampold, and rodolfa. Journal of Counseling Psychology,
58(1) 10-15.

New Census Bureau Report Analyzes U.S. Population Projections (2015, March). Retrieved
March 18 2017, from https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2015/cb15-tps16.html