Culturally responsitve and socially just counselling Through the CRSJ model, I provide a conceptual framework for walking learners through how client and counsellor cultural identities, social locations, lived experiences, and sociocultural contexts may impact the counsellor-client relationship, the process of case conceptualization, the co-construction of counselling goals, and the levels of intervention targeted through collaborative change processes. 18 core competencies Domain 1: acknowledge the ubiquitous nature of culture in counseling CC1 cultural sensitivity: engage in cultural self-exploration as a foundation for cultural sensitivity towards client cultural identities and relationalities - Critical reflection on client and counsellor cultural identities, defined broadly to include indigeneity, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion, and social class - Openness to other begins with openness to self and a commitment to active engagement of self-discovery CC2 intersectionality: appreciate and reflect critically on the complexity and intersectionality of cultural identities and relationalities - Focuses on the complex and multifaceted nature of both counsellor and client cultural identities - The key concepts and learning outcomes in the DRSJ counseling model below apply equally to counsellor and client - It is also important for learners to appreciate the fluidity and intersectionality of both their own and their client’s’ multiple cultural identities CC3: worldviews: value the diversity of worldviews, and prioritize client beliefs, values, and assumptions - There is a need for counsellors to recognize that how they view others, the world, and the counselling process is often a reflection of their own values, beliefs, and worldview. Stepping outside their myopic perspective is an effential skill for building cultural empathy and embracing diverse perspectives on health and healing - Key concepts: a. Between-group differences b. Cultural distance-similarity The concept of cultural distance-similarity is a social construction: we create and define difference based on our socialization and personal choices Consider how your reactions are tied to your personal cultural identities, lived experiences, and possibly your social locations. c. Indigenous worldviews Based on the Medicine wheel, decorations typically composed of messages from symbolic pictures. These may be recommended directly by an elder, or they may be passed along through the collective unconscious. d. Individualist and collectivist worldviews Intersectionality – the reality that we all have multiple identities (race, gender, ethnicity) that intersect to make us who we are. Privileges Identities beyond race and gender – disability, poverty Marginalized groups don’t get to wherether or not they can think about their identity. Some people could ignore the intersectionality if she wants to. Life is not same for everyone. Intersectional lens Hi Amber, Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I agree with you that identities provide a sense of community and shaping the understanding of the world. Living in Canada, I value the freedom and opportunity to express and choose my identities. Hearst (2012) noted that while cultures and communities can offer valuable perspectives for thinking and acting, individuals can revise or ultimately reject understanding acquired within a particular culture or community (Hearst, 2012). For me though, some of my cultural identity is closely tied to family dynamics. While I have a desired to reject certain aspects of my cultural identity that I perceive as limiting or discriminatory, confronting these beliefs can lead to conflicts within my family relationships, making it a difficult process. Another interesting point I read from Farnando (2008)you’ve shared is that while “identity conflict” being an inherent psychological problem is not based on any evidence, but wherever we go, racism in some form or other is a problem (Fernando, 2008). Hearst, A. (2012). Children and the politics of. Cultural belonging. Cambridge University Press.
