CHAPTER 17:
Alternative Approaches to
Counseling Theories
Developing Multicultural Counseling
Competence: A Systems Approach
Second Edition
Danica G. Hays and Bradley T. Erford
Culture and Theory
•
Theoretical orientation changes with more
experience
•
Culture & theory sometimes at odds with one
another
•
Theory cannot encompass all of human
experience, or account for all thoughts, behaviors,
feelings, or contexts that attribute to individuals’
identities
•
Theory provides counselors with starting points
with their clients
•
“Theoretical orientation” provides both our
rationale and our action
Hays & Erford, Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence: A Systems Approach
(2nd Edition) © 2013, 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
17-2
Worldview Shaping Counseling
•
Most do not give thought to their philosophical or
theoretical approach to life
•
During crisis, most however discover their
motivation for living their personal theory for life,
or worldviews.
5 value orientations of worldview:
• Human Nature
• Person/Nature relations
• Social Relations
• Time Sense
• Human Activity
•
•
Basic assumptions that counselors use to create &
support their approaches to counseling
Hays & Erford, Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence: A Systems Approach
(2nd Edition) © 2013, 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
17-3
Worldview to Theory
•
From the foundation of personal worldviews,
individuals begin to make sense out of their lives
& account for the contexts in which they live
•
A counselor’s worldview can affect personal
philosophy & theoretical orientation
•
Despite its reported comprehensiveness, a
counseling theory will work with particular clients
under particular conditions
•
Understand the worldview of clients as well as the
worldview of theories and try to balance the two
Hays & Erford, Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence: A Systems Approach
(2nd Edition) © 2013, 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
17-4
Alternative Sources of Theory
•
Counseling theories have specific definitions for
mental health and parameters for typical mental
functioning, impacts diverse clients
•
Without some shared understanding of mental
health, no counseling theory can be effective
•
In many cultures, the practice of counseling is
relatively unknown, and the notion of mental
health is incorporated into other social systems
(e.g., religion, familial relationships)
•
These social systems influence people’s beliefs
about what it means to function “normally”
Hays & Erford, Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence: A Systems Approach
(2nd Edition) © 2013, 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
17-5
Religion & Spirituality
•
May be considered the greatest unifier & the
greatest divider of people
•
Directly influence a person’s worldview in ways that
affect how the person defines mental health
•
When applying a particular theory, it is important to
consider how that theory interacts with clients’
beliefs about the divine
•
Consider how clients conceptualize notions of the
divine in their lives
•
A simple understanding between counselor and
client about the role of the divine can potentially
lead to major differences in the perceptions of
mental health
Hays & Erford, Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence: A Systems Approach
(2nd Edition) © 2013, 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
17-6
Government
•
In many ways, particular forms of government are
direct expressions of worldviews
•
How democracy is represented
•
Differences between political parties
•
There are approximately 9 forms of government
outside of the U.S.
•
Laws are created to support the structure of
government and to reinforce the lifestyle choices for
the governed
•
Governments set parameters for what it means to
be an accepted member of society, and, by
extension how functional mental health is defined
Hays & Erford, Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence: A Systems Approach
(2nd Edition) © 2013, 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
17-7
Family
•
Has the greatest potential for shaping notions of
mental health
•
Serves as a filter for other social systems
•
Understanding family roles in a particular society
will provide counselors with information about
mental health and definitions of functional and
dysfunctional relationships
•
Explore how clients act within their own families
•
How do clients’ behaviors compare to others in
the family? What roles are clients expected to
play in their family? What is the role of
ancestors in the family culture?
Hays & Erford, Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence: A Systems Approach
(2nd Edition) © 2013, 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
17-8
Traditional Theoretical
Approaches to Counseling
•
Traditional counseling theories are abundant in
the counseling literature and characterized by
first three forces of counseling
•
Original target client and limitations
•
Evolution of a grand theory in counseling
•
Integrates all dimensions of human
experience into a single overarching
theoretical framework
•
Coincide with the three forces of counseling
Hays & Erford, Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence: A Systems Approach
(2nd Edition) © 2013, 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
17-9
Culturally Responsive Use of
Traditional Theories
•
Involves the counselor’s awareness of own cultural identity
and the cultural contexts of approach to counseling
•
Demonstrate flexibility in approach
•
Eclectic or integrative approaches
•
Theoretical adaptation
•
General guidelines that counselors use to adapt particular
theories
•
Illuminate Assumptions
•
Identify Limitations
•
Simplify Concepts
•
Diversify Interventions
Hays & Erford, Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence: A Systems Approach
(2nd Edition) © 2013, 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
17-10
Culturally Responsive
Counseling Theories
•
The fourth force is supported by constructivist
paradigms and contextual/systemic models
•
Supports and encourages what Gilligan (1982)
termed alternative ways of knowing
•
Flexibility should be in the conceptualization of
alternative explanations for psychic distress and
the use of alternative ways to heal that distress
•
Range from evolved progeny of previous theories
to traditional healing practices
Hays & Erford, Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence: A Systems Approach
(2nd Edition) © 2013, 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
17-11
Multicultural Counseling &
Therapy (MCT)
•
Has been presented as a meta-theory
•
•
Many of the conceptual models have been part of
indigenous healing practices (e.g., feminism, Afrocentric
theory, Naikan, and indigenous healing practices)
6 propositions:
•
MCT is an integrative meta-theory
•
Counselor and client identities are formed based on
differing levels of experience and context
•
Cultural identity development important
•
Consistency of approaches with client values
•
Traditional approach to counseling is only one strategy
•
Liberation of consciousness is a basic goal
Hays & Erford, Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence: A Systems Approach
(2nd Edition) © 2013, 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
17-12
Naikan
•
Formalized & structured method of self-reflection intended
to provide clients with understanding about their
relationships with others and themselves
•
Emphasizes familial and social obligations and sustaining the
harmony of social order
•
Meditative self-reflection is guided by 3 questions:
•
1. What have I received from _________;
•
2. What have I given to _____________;
•
3. What troubles or difficulties have I caused
____________.
•
Goal of reflection is self-in-relation
•
Effective in treating a variety of issues (e.g., anxiety,
alcoholism, Anorexia Nervosa)
Hays & Erford, Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence: A Systems Approach
(2nd Edition) © 2013, 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
17-13
Morita Therapy
•
Shares some similarities with Naikan and is often
used in conjunction with Naikan
•
Overall approach can be described as purposecentered, response-oriented, and active
•
Stresses building clients’ character in order to
empower them to accept and respond to their life
regardless of the circumstances
•
Clients’ behaviors will be emphasized more than
thoughts or feelings and their decision-making will
be influenced by purpose rather than intuition
Hays & Erford, Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence: A Systems Approach
(2nd Edition) © 2013, 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
17-14
Ntu Psychotherapy
•
Based on an African conceptual system and
worldview
•
Energy is presumed to be essential to the
therapeutic process and becomes the focus of the
approach
•
As the Ntu is increased, so is the well-being of the
client and vice versa
•
The function of counselors in Ntu psychotherapy is
that of a spiritual guide
•
Contextual assumptions
•
5 distinct phases: Harmony, Awareness,
Alignment, Actualization, and Synthesis
Hays & Erford, Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence: A Systems Approach
(2nd Edition) © 2013, 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
17-15
Alternative Therapies
•
Counselors are focusing on the ways that
mind, body, and spirit intersect
•
Meditation
•
Yoga therapy
•
Ayurveda
•
Buddhist psychology
•
Indigenous ways of knowing (IWOK)
Hays & Erford, Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence: A Systems Approach
(2nd Edition) © 2013, 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
17-16