Читать книгу Counseling the Culturally Diverse - Laura Smith L. - Страница 95

It is critical for therapists to have a basic understanding of the generic characteristics of counseling and psychotherapy and their connections to foundational assumptions within mainstream European American values and preferences. With this understanding in mind, we can prevent ourselves from unconsciously operating from this values system in a way that discounts and/or discriminates against clients with other cultural backgrounds. At the same time, overgeneralizing and stereotyping are also ever‐present dangers. For example, the listings of cultural group variables, provided by way of example in this chapter, should not be taken to indicate that all persons coming from any cultural group will share all or even some of the same traits. We know that clients come from families who embody a multifaceted array of perspectives that range from strict preservation of their cultural heritage to active integration with mainstream culture to a combination of both (Atkin & Yoo, 2021). Generalizations are helpful tools for learning and analysis; however, they are guidelines to be tentatively applied in new situations, and they should be open to change and challenge. Accordingly the information provided in this chapter (and throughout the book) should be seen as guidelines rather than absolutes—these generalizations can serve as the background from which distinct individuals emerge.