Multicultural competencies are the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively work with people of diverse backgrounds, including those of different races, cultures, abilities/disabilities, genders, sexual orientations, religious beliefs and socio-economic statuses. Developing multicultural competency is an important part of providing quality counseling services to individuals who come from a variety of backgrounds that may be very different than one’s own. Counseling professionals who lack multicultural awareness can create barriers for clients when attempting to establish trust and genuine relationships (Sue et al., 2018). Therefore, it is essential that counselors recognize the value in cultivating competencies related to working with individuals from various cultural backgrounds.

When striving for multicultural competence as a counselor there are several steps you can take. One is self-reflection—counselors must first conduct an honest reflection on their own values and how they might impact how they interact with clients from diverse communities (Sue et al., 2018). Acknowledging personal biases allows a counselor to minimize implicit bias when establishing relationships with their clientele. Additionally, learning about other cultures through research or even simply having conversations with those outside your environment can help pave the way for more meaningful interactions between yourself and others. Asking questions that focus on understanding another individual’s behaviors instead of labeling them based off preconceived notions can lead to more effective therapy sessions (Kochman et al., 2017). This practice creates an open dialogue which works towards creating mutual respect between both parties involved in counseling sessions.

What are multicultural competencies, and how can you ensure you are incorporating multicultural competences in counseling

Incorporating cultural sensitivity into counseling sessions demonstrates appreciation for other peoples’ beliefs by educating yourself on potential social issues they encounter while respecting their perspectives regardless if they differ from yours (Kochman et al., 2017). Taking time before meeting a new client to consider the various possible factors influencing his or her life will allow you demonstrate empathy during each step toward progress throughout therapy sessions. Setting realistic goals regarding what outcomes you hope both parties will achieve within each session should also be done alongside considering any internalized stereotypes which could disrupt growth opportunities during such meetings (Kochman et al .2017)