1. How can multicultural competence be an ethical issue as it relates to professional standards regarding competence to practice? Present three examples of how a counselor's lack of cultural awareness could affect the quality and outcomes of counseling. What steps could be taken to ensure that counseling a client is both culturally competent and ethical? Cite a multicultural-related code from the ACA or NAADAC codes of ethics.
Lack of multicultural competence leads to biased healthcare decisions due to stereotypes and subjective views regarding a particular group. According to Ratts et al. (2016) counselors who lack cultural competence in specific groups are unable to adopt appropriate counseling techniques which hinder the process outcome due to a poor counseling relationship. The American Counseling Association (ACA, 2014), recommends that counselors should pass information in development and culturally appropriate ways. The clients should be able to understand the counselor’s language and interpreters should be provided if required (ACA, 2014). The lack of cultural competence limits the counselor’s ability to understand the clients’ background which affects an individuals’ behavior. It also prevents the counselor from understanding the clients’ behaviors based on societal changes like the emergence of mixed cultures. Counselors are required to ensure that clients can understand concepts before making decisions and therefore they should study their own cultures and others to develop targeted counseling techniques.
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2. Describe in detail situations in which referring your client to a different counselor and/or agency should be considered. If referral is not an option, what ethical alternatives could you identify to continue to work with this client? Include references to the ACA and/or NAADAC code of ethics to support your response.
Counselors should avoid working with clients whom they have had previous interactions at a personal or formal level. This is a result of the potentially biased decisions based on the initial experiences. However, counselors who choose to work with these clients are required to establish measures that ensure objective decision-making processes. Section A.6 of the ACA (2014) supports this proposal. Additionally, Section A.5.b of the ACA (2014) code of ethics recommends that counselors should refer clients whom they previously had romantic or sexual relationships with another professional. The feelings of hatred or resentment may influence the counselor's decisions as a result of the failed relationship. Section A.5.d of the ACA (2014) also requires that counselors refer close family members and friends to other professionals. This action is recommended because the counselor’s emotions towards close relatives and friends may result in wrong decisions in an effort to improve their conditions.
References
American Counselling Association. 2014. ACA code of ethics: As approved by the ACA Governing Council. Alexandria, VA: Author
Ratts, M. J., Singh A.A., Nassar-McMillan, S., Butler, S.K., & McCullough, J.R. 2016. Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies: Guidelines for the Counseling Profession. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 44 (1), 28-48. doi:10.1002/jmcd.12035
