This is the fifth edition of Multicultural Issues in Counseling: New Approaches to Diversity. As with the four previous editions, developments in the discipline of multicultural counseling have made a new version of this book necessary. Like its predecessors, the purpose of this book is to present culturally competent intervention strategies for professional counselors working with, or preparing to work with, diverse client groups in a variety of settings. The book provides practicing counselors and those preparing to enter the profession with direction for culturally competent counseling with clients from a number of diverse backgrounds.

Focus of the Book

The focus of the book is on providing a broader perspective on diversity as a way to offer direction for culturally competent counseling. The book is devoted to multicultural counseling practice with diverse client groups. It is designed to help counselors apply their awareness of and knowledge about cultural diversity to appropriate skills development with specific client groups. The ideas presented in the book have been developed out of both the professional and personal experiences of the chapter authors. Like the previous editions, although this book offers guidance for culturally competent counseling practice, it is not intended to be a cookbook or a how-to manual. In addition, a concerted attempt has been made to explore the cultural dynamics of the selected groups in as nonstereotypical a fashion as possible. One pervasive theme throughout the book is that all people in a particular group do not act or think in the same manner and that although cultural knowledge is important, it is critical to approach each client as a unique individual.

Overview of the Content

This book is divided into three parts: Part I is “Introduction,” Part II is “Direction for Culturally Competent Counseling,” and Part III is “Professional and Personal Issues in Counseling Across Cultures.” The three chapters in Part I, “Introduction,” lay a conceptual foundation for the rest of the book. In Chapter 1, “Multicultural Competency: A Conceptual Framework for Counseling Across Cultures,” Courtland C. Lee, after exploring the nature of counseling in a cross-cultural context, discusses important concepts that provide a framework for multicultural counseling competency with a focus on the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies endorsed by the American Counseling Association in 2015. In Chapter 2, “The Cross-Cultural Encounter: Meeting the Challenge of Culturally Competent Counseling,” Lee presents an analysis of the encounter between a counselor and a client from different cultural backgrounds. He next examines some important issues that should be considered in addressing the challenges of culturally competent counseling in such an encounter and then provides specific guidelines for enhancing the working alliance when engaging in a cross-cultural counseling encounter. In Chapter 3, “Intersectionality: Understanding the Complexity of Identity in Counseling Across Cultures,” Lee and Shainna Ali examine the complexity of culture as it relates to personality and identity development by exploring the concept of intersectionality. They discuss cultural identity development and introduce the concept of intersectionality and its influence on the cross-cultural counseling encounter. Lee and Ali then provide a case study that illustrates the concept of intersectionality in such an encounter. Finally, they offer essential implications of intersectionality for culturally competent counseling.

In Part II of the book, “Direction for Culturally Competent Counseling,” approaches for counseling with members of specific cultural groups are presented. This section of the book is composed of 15 chapters, each offering ideas and concepts for culturally competent counseling. These chapters include a review of the cultural dynamics of the given group and their role in shaping mental health and the sociocultural issues and challenges that often affect developmental well-being. The authors then introduce strategies for addressing these issues and challenges. These counseling practices evolve from an understanding and appreciation of the unique history and cultural experiences of each group. It is significant that the authors of these chapters provide case studies that underscore their ideas on culturally competent counseling.

The first section of Part II focuses on the experiences of individuals of various racial/ethnic groups. In Chapter 4, “Counseling First Americans,” Tarrell Awe Agahe Portman casts light through the spectrum of counseling on the cultural continuum found among First Americans. She begins by providing a historical overview of the First American population. She next presents some trends among this population. After exploring similarities and differences across First American nations, the author presents direction for counseling with First American clients through a series of case studies. In Chapter 5, “Counseling People of the African Diaspora in the United States,” Carla Adkison-Johnson and Phillip Johnson provide direction for counseling people in the contemporary United States who trace their cultural roots to Africa. The chapter begins with a demographic profile of the African diaspora in the United States. Adkison-Johnson and Johnson then provide a cultural framework for counseling people of the African diaspora in the United States. They present an overview of a contextualized humanistic approach and its relationship to mental health for people of African descent. This is followed by a discussion of several important issues that must be considered in counseling with people of the African diaspora in the United States. The final part of the chapter focuses on counseling practices with clients of African descent, with case studies and specific guidelines for culturally competent counseling. In Chapter 6, “Counseling Asian and Pacific Islander Americans,” DoHee Kim-Appel and Jonathan Appel explore the mental health issues of those people whose origins are the Asian continent and islands in the Pacific Ocean. They discuss common cultural themes and challenges in the Asian and Pacific Islander American experience as well as coping and expectations for help. The authors present strategies for counseling with this client group along with a case study for consideration.

In Chapter 7, “Counseling Latinx,” Verna Oliva Flemming provides guidance for culturally competent counseling with clients with cultural ties to South America, Central America, or Mexico. Flemming highlights the heterogeneity of Latinx, explores traditional cultural considerations, and presents some counseling considerations for this client group along with a case study. In Chapter 8, “Counseling Arab Americans,” Sepideh S. Soheilian and Shantoyia Jones discuss a number of cultural factors to consider when providing mental health services to Arab Americans. The authors highlight the role of religion, family values, gender, acculturation, and discrimination in working with Arab American clients. Common mental health concerns of Arab American individuals are outlined, as are counseling interventions and strategies to consider with Arab American clients. Finally, Soheilian and Jones present a case study that integrates the information discussed in the chapter. Chapter 9, “Counseling Whites of European Descent,” the last chapter in this part of the book, is a new addition. Krista M. Malott provides a demographic overview of White Americans, those individuals with origins among any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa. The author then reviews some of the constructs that constitute the worldview of Americans of European descent. She then considers important issues in counseling with this client group, including racial identity development. Malott concludes the chapter with a case study that highlights key aspects of culturally competent counseling with White clients.

The second section of Part II continues with an exploration of the experience of multiracial individuals. In Chapter 10, “Counseling Members of the Multiracial Population,” Henry L. Harris begins by examining the current status of this population in the United States. He next provides some historical background on multiracial individuals. Harris then explores multiracial identity development. Within this context, the author then provides a case study to provide direction for culturally competent counseling with individuals from multiracial backgrounds.

An exploration of the experience of gender and age appears in the third section of Part II. In Chapter 11, “Issues in Counseling Men,” Matthew L. Lyons surveys the cultural dynamics that affect men, discusses unique issues and challenges, and suggests effective approaches for counseling men. Conversely, in Chapter 12, “Issues in Counseling Women,” Kathy M. Evans and S. Todd Bolin explore these same issues for women and discuss strategies for working with women in counseling along with case studies that highlight these interventions. The experience of ageism is examined in Chapter 13, “Issues in Counseling Older Persons.” Laura R. Shannonhouse, Mary Chase Breedlove Mize, and Amanda D. Rumsey explore demographic changes in the United States with a focus on the aging of the population and within-group factors that predispose some older persons to significant personal and social risk. The authors then describe counselors’ responses to the graying of America and the consequences of these responses for the needs of older persons. Ageism, an unreasonable prejudice against persons based on chronological age, is discussed in relation to its personal affect older individuals. The authors continue by considering from both micro and macro perspectives recommended strategies and actions for professional counselors and providing suggestions for counselor advocacy and empowerment relative to population aging and the needs of older individuals.

The sexual minority experience in the United States makes up the fourth section of Part II. In Chapter 14, “Affirmative Counseling With Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, and Intersex Clients,” Michael M. Kocet explores the coming-out process and identity development issues for these populations. It is significant that he explores these issues through the intersectionality of affectional orientation, race, and religion. To better illustrate the concepts he discusses, Kocet provides a case study to guide readers through a process of reflection and analysis.

The fifth section of Part II considers the experience of people with disabilities. Julie Smart begins Chapter 15, “Counseling Individuals With Physical, Cognitive, and Psychiatric Disabilities,” by explaining the importance of including a chapter on disability in a multicultural counseling book. She continues by exploring the three broad categories and models of disability. The chapter concludes with guidelines for counselors when working with people with disabilities along with a case study.

The sixth section of Part II considers the experience of socioeconomic disadvantage. In Chapter 16, “Counseling and the Culture of Economic Disadvantage,” Donna M. Gibson focuses on economic disadvantage as part of the larger conceptualization of social class. She discusses the nature of economic disadvantage in the United States and its impact on mental health. Utilizing a multiculturally competent counseling framework, the author presents case examples that underscore the cultural aspects of economic disadvantage.

The seventh section of Part II highlights immigration in the United States. In Chapter 17, “Counseling Recent Immigrants,” Oksana Yakushko and Eva Blodgett review the important historical factors that underlie the institutionalized cultural treatment of immigrants and their impact on immigrants’ mental health and well-being. They also highlight emerging alternative theories and culturally competent counseling modalities for use with this client population.

The eighth and final section of Part II represents a unique addition to this or any other multicultural counseling book—it is an examination of the military experience as culture. Major geopolitical events of the past several decades (e.g., 9/11, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan) have dramatically demonstrated that the realities of men and women in military service are vastly different from those of individuals in civilian life. These realities constitute a distinct culture, and the men and women in the service of their country face issues and challenges that are unique to the dynamics of this culture. In Chapter 18, “Counseling Military Clients: Multicultural Competence, Challenges, and Opportunities,” Duncan Shields, Marvin Westwood, and David Kuhl first describe the prevailing masculine military culture and the obstacles to help seeking that can emerge for those who are socialized into this culture. They then present ways to overcome these challenges and provide case studies to illustrate how military gender and cultural competence can inform both an individual and a group counseling context.

The final part of the book, Part III, considers the culturally competent counselor as a professional but, more important, as a human being. In Chapter 19, “Ethical Issues in Multicultural Counseling,” Barbara J. Herlihy and Everett Painter present a brief history of the development of the ACA Code of Ethics (American Counseling Association, 2014) to demonstrate that the journey toward multiculturally sensitive ethical guidelines has been a slow and lengthy one. They then describe six basic principles that undergird ethical decision making, along with concerns that have been raised about their applicability to multicultural populations and cross-cultural counseling. The authors then discuss virtue ethics, a complementary approach to principle ethics. Next, standards relevant to diversity that are found in major sections of the ACA Code of Ethics are identified and discussed. Particular attention is given to two ethical issues that are controversial and can be difficult to navigate in day-to-day practice: boundaries and value conflicts. The ethical decision-making process is then discussed, and finally the authors offer a case study for consideration.

Lee and Elina Zalkalne conclude the book with Chapter 20, “The Culturally Competent Counselor as an Agent of Social Justice.” The authors discuss the notion of the culturally competent counselor as an agent of social justice. First, they explore key aspects of the 2015 revision of the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies. Second, they provide important behavioral considerations for working as a culturally competent counselor and an agent of social justice. Third, Lee and Zalkalne offer a series of critical and self-reflective questions about what these considerations might mean to a counselor on a personal level.

References

American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author.