British Association for Counseling and Psychotherapy
Imposing one’s values upon the client is indicative of judgement. Paradoxically, when therapists accept the client for the person they are regardless of their values , over time, the client’s values tend to grow closer to the values of the counsellor , as counsellors do become role models for their clients.
Individuals want a society and norms that promote equality and exclude any stereotypical views associated to gender, as it has happened in the past. Diversity issues in counselling practice are important for both client and counsellor in order to achieve a successful therapeutic outcome.
Diversity within counseling can mean that the counselor recognizes, appreciates, and builds upon the unique talents and contributions of their clients. Cultural diversity encompasses more than just ethnic diversity . Within ethnic groups there lie several different cultural aspects.
Part of the role of the therapist or counsellor is to understand these relationships , to work with them when they appear. These dynamics and interactions matter and how they play out within the therapeutic bond can allow a client to gain a deeper understanding of their relationships .
Values , often called ‘ personal values ‘ in therapy, are universal ideas about what is important in life. They include things like kindness, compassion, and loyalty, as well as things like dishonesty and decadence.
Values counseling allows you to know the heart of your counselor . By knowing this in advance, you will have a greater understanding of your counselor’s focus, goals, and counselling path. Values promote healthy living and relationships, helping us to get our lives on the right track.
There are four different types of diversity : internal, external, organizational, and worldview—and you should aim to represent them all.
Diversity means having a range of people with various racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds and various lifestyles, experience, and interests. Having a variety of individuals and points of view represented in the department. Diversity is a group of people who are different in the same place.
Often a person with diversity empathy can interpret experiences or perspectives from their own and more than one view. This person can act supportive and recognize the feelings of a person with a different perspective and diverse assumptions, values, and beliefs.
Cultural understanding and sensitivity helps clients feel more comfortable. When you feel heard and validated by your therapist , it’s much easier to open up without fear of judgment. The multicultural approach considers more than just your home country or religion. Culture involves so many different elements.
Multicultural competence in counseling refers to a counselor’s ability to garner positive clinical outcomes in cross-cultural encounters with patients. It is up to counselors to train and be prepared so that they can deliver the best outcome possible, regardless of differences between themselves and their clients.
The definition of diverse is different. An example of diverse is a classroom full of students from many different cultural backgrounds. Relating to or containing people from different ethnicities and social backgrounds. A diverse workforce; a diverse curriculum.
In order that the client feels comfortable in expressing him/herself in an uninhibited way, the relationship between the client and the counsellor needs to be built on reciprocal trust. It is the counsellor’s responsibility to provide a safe, confidential environment, and to offer empathy, understanding and respect.
Therapists don’t feel only love for their clients . Therapists love their clients in various ways, at various times. And yes, I’m sure there must be some therapists out there who never love their clients . But love is around in the therapy relationship, a lot more than we might think or recognise.
3 Characteristics of Counseling . Counseling is a process between a client and therapist to explore difficulties, learn to see things clearly, and facilitate positive change (Sexton, 1996). The process is built on a relationship of trust, confidentiality, and mutual respect.