Multicultural counseling
Multicultural counseling, sometimes referred to as a “culturally competent approach,” is a framework that trains therapists to embrace all aspects of a client’s cultural identity. This approach emphasizes considering a client’s cultural differences, sexual orientations, socioeconomic backgrounds, and other aspects during treatment. In multicultural counseling, the therapist also recognizes their own biases and seeks to create a therapeutic atmosphere that is open and accepting. Multicultural counseling isn’t a specific therapy type, but rather a mindset and framework that therapists adopt so that they can be more sensitive to cultural issues, biases, and social justice as they treat their clients.
What are the origins of multicultural counseling?
Multicultural counseling has developed and evolved over the past few decades as mental health counselors have understood more deeply the importance of concepts like cultural sensitivity, multiculturalism, and intersectionality.
In 1972, a version of what is now known as the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD) first formed. AMCD’s mission is to “bolster ethnic and racial empathy and understanding.” AMCD offers training for people in the counseling field so that they can gain greater cultural competence and cultural awareness.
The American Psychological Association (APA) released guidelines on multicultural competency for therapists in 2002. These guidelines were updated in 2017 and emphasize cultural diversity and advocacy as key components of the therapeutic process.
When is multicultural counseling used?
Multicultural counseling interventions can be used to treat individuals, groups, and families. Multicultural counselors may work in a variety of different settings, including in private practice, schools, social work facilities, and in any therapy setting where trained counselors and therapists work.
There are many different demographics that benefit from having a therapist who is trained in multicultural counseling. This includes groups like African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, and other underrepresented or marginalized groups. Additionally, people in the disabled community and the LGBTQ+ community greatly benefit from multicultural counseling. Finally, clients from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds benefit from having a therapist who understands their particular challenges.
Multicultural counseling doesn’t treat specific mental health conditions, but is instead a special training that therapists use to become more culturally aware and to promote the well-being of their diverse clients.
How does multicultural counseling work?
In multicultural counseling, your therapist will employ whatever therapy technique(s) they determine will work best for you — whether it’s cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), exposure therapy, or something else —and weave in principles of multicultural counseling throughout the therapy session.
Having a therapist who is well-versed in multicultural counseling typically means that you will feel more comfortable in therapy, you will feel more understood and accepted, and you will be better able to meet your therapy goals.
What is multicultural counseling like?
If you decide to see a multicultural counselor, you know you will be seen by someone who is trained to be more sensitive to factors like your cultural background, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disability, or other factors that are integral to who you are.
Your therapist will use their training in the type of psychotherapy they are providing you along with principles from multicultural counseling. The APA has outlined some of the principles that multicultural therapists should embrace in their 2017 guidelines. These include:
- A recognition that people’s identities are complex, intersecting, and may be fluid over time
- Therapists should identify their biases and strive to move beyond cultural assumptions
- Therapists should strive to be sensitive to the specific lived experience of the person or group they are working with
- An awareness of the role that social and physical environment play in our lives
- An awareness of how history has shaped who we are, in terms of both privilege and oppression
- Therapists should promote culturally aware interventions and emphasize advocacy for their clients
- Therapists should recognize that our development and experience of life transitions are influenced by socioeconomic and cultural factors
- Therapists and other mental health experts should make sure to consider cultural factors when conducting research
- A “strength-based” approach with diverse groups should be emphasized; this means helping clients build resilience and work through trauma
How long does multicultural counseling take?
There is no specific length that multicultural counseling takes. How long it takes depends in part on the type of therapy your therapist practices. Remember, multicultural therapy is a therapy framework that your therapist incorporates into their regular sessions.
Some therapy types only require a few sessions, while some take weeks, months, or years to complete. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may take several weeks or months to complete, while psychoanalysis can last years. Most therapy sessions last about 45 minutes, but may be longer or shorter, and most people meet with their therapist weekly. If you are in crisis, you might meet with your therapist several times a week.
Is multicultural counseling effective?
Multicultural counseling is an effective technique and can lead to better outcomes for patients. This is one of the reasons why organizations like the APA have created multicultural counseling guidelines for therapists to follow.
The fact is, research has found that 81% of marginalized individuals experience discrimination and microaggressions, even in therapeutic settings. This leads to clients not trusting their therapists, not progressing, or stopping therapy sessions altogether. This is just one reason why multicultural counseling is so important and effective: it ensures that marginalized folks will feel comfortable in therapy settings, stay in treatment, and thrive.
What’s the difference between multicultural counseling and culturally sensitive therapy?
Multicultural counseling and culturally sensitive therapy are both approaches to therapy that emphasize respect for different cultures and self-awareness on the part of the therapist in terms of cultural biases. Both therapy types emphasize the importance of being sensitive to cultural factors in a client’s life and history that may impact mental health.
The difference is that multicultural counseling is a technique recognized by major mental health organizations like the APA, whereas culturally sensitive therapy is a less formal, descriptive term to describe some of the core principles that are part of multicultural counseling.
What to look for in a multicultural therapist
When looking for a multicultural therapist, you want to find someone who is highly trained in the type of therapy they practice. You should ask them about their education, background, and licensure. Then, you want to find out what training they have done in multicultural counseling and cultural sensitivity. Many people look for therapists who share their own lived experience as a marginalized individual, as this can greatly increase the therapist’s empathy and understanding of your identity.
How to find a multicultural counselor
If you think multicultural counseling might be right for you, it’s important to speak with a licensed and experienced clinician. There are many types of mental health care providers who practice multicultural counseling, including licensed marriage and family counselors (LMFTs), licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, licensed professional counselors (LPCs), licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs) and more.
On top of finding a counselor who is skilled in multicultural counseling, you want to make sure they meet your other needs. For example, if you struggle with an anxiety disorder, you’ll want to find a multicultural counselor who also specializes in treating anxiety. In addition, finding a counselor who accepts your insurance can make therapy much more affordable.
You can find a counselor who accepts your insurance and specializes in multicultural counseling by using Grow Therapy. After filtering for your location, insurance, and needs, you can then select “Multicultural” from the “Treatment methods” drop-down.