My video: multiculturalism in psychology and psychotherapy

[heymanslow]

Hello, everyone!

I made a video on "multiculturalism," or "multicultural competence," as it is presented in contemporary psychology and psychotherapy. I'd appreciate any feedback - both on the content, and my speaking style.

[Nick Clark]

Hi Max!

I am a mental health counselor, too, and recall having similar thoughts about my Multiculturalism in Counseling course (I just graduated a little over a year ago). There is a substantial degree of validity to considering culture when conducting therapy, especially when you consider that many clients will prematurely terminate the therapeutic relationship due to cultural insensitivity. My understanding is that this is especially true of African American clients seeing a White counselor. The way that I approach this issue is actually somewhat influenced by Austrian economics. Obtaining therapy is essentially no different than deciding which shoes you will buy - one makes this purchase based on their subjective desires. Keeping the same therapist over time, sometimes, may be undesirable for a client who experiences microaggressions from their counselor, or simple cultural insensitivity. It's also not all that different from using systematic desensitization for a client with agoraphobia - it must be done very gradually; at the client's pace. When counseling the culturally diverse/different, if they desire to make behavior change that clashes with their family of origin or culture of origin, then the counselor should probably take the pace the client wishes to - "meeting them where they are," as it were. It's all about working with the client's values, provided you feel that you can. For example, I will not work (ultimately) with a client who values using violence against others (excluding support of the state, of course - there would be almost no clients).

Now, having said that, I have a number of criticisms of the multicultural perspective. The first of which is the seeming emphasis on complete cultural/moral relativism. Stef has done an excellent job, time and time again, of demolishing the philosophy of moral relativism. Also, they tend to minimize the importance of the individual, which is a serious error, and can actually lead to cultural/racial microaggressions as well.

The bottom line, is that it is important to be aware of cultural considerations, to respect them within one's values, and to orient therapy towards what the client wants; consistent with the behavior change they desire. Of course, it's also very important to be aware of your own cultural biases - and we all have them - just as much as it is to be aware of your individual biases - we all have them. Being aware of these and attempting to eliminate them are two completely different things.

As for your speaking style, I thought it was pretty good. It is difficult to avoid saying "um," or "uh," (I am guilty of this, too), but watching yourself on video can help you work to reduce these words, which detract from speaking efficiency and efficacy. I have found that supplanting "um" and "uh" with "and" or "so" helps me. These words tend to keep the audience engaged versus "uh" and "um" which tend to cue the listener to disconnect their attention until the next thought comes around.

Thanks for posting!

-Nick

 

[heymanslow]

Hi Nick, and thanks so much for such a wise and clear response! I would like to make a second video on this, where I am going to provide some examples of the "multicultural perspective gone wrong." Would you mind if I read your response (omitting your name and the mentioning of Stef), as it provides a very rational appraisal of a culturally competent approach to psychotherapy? I'll post a link to the video here once it's ready.

[Nick Clark]

Thanks for the kind words, Max! Please feel free to use my post, though I would appreciate my name being excluded, as you mentioned.

What are your thoughts about applying/not applying cultural sensitivity in the clinical setting?

[heymanslow]

Thank you for your permission, Nick! I actually recorded a second video on multicultural competence earlier today, I'll post it here in a little bit - in it I am talking about the undeniable benefits of being culturally sensitive with clients (as you discussed in your previous post) and the possible abuses of cultural relativism and the notion of "oppression."

It'll be great to read/hear your comments once it's up!

[heymanslow]

Here is my second video on multiculturalism in psychotherapy, in which I address the undeniable benefits of being culturally sensitive with clients and the possible abuses of cultural relativism and the notion of "oppression."

I welcome your comments!