Did you know, that in America, the phenomenon and discourse of “Counseling Psychology” as a discipline has been presented largely from the prism of a ‘mono-cultural’ perspective since Sigmund Freud...view moreDid you know, that in America, the phenomenon and discourse of “Counseling Psychology” as a discipline has been presented largely from the prism of a ‘mono-cultural’ perspective since Sigmund Freud-19th Century (pg 13)? This author does not attempt or desire to give the impression of challenging the works Sigmund Freud in any way, but Freud is mentioned here only to show the relevance of his work to the origin of the term “Counseling Psychology” (pg.31). This term has been chosen to present the title of this author’s most recent book (work): “COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY”, MEETS MULTICULTURALISM IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY!!!!
Did you know that as such, “Counseling Psychology” being presented only through a ‘mono-cultural’ perspective since Freud, has not been as effective as it could in reaching people of diverse backgrounds (pg.25)? Why not? Because the relationship between the subject and the analyst, the doctor and the patient, the practitioner and client, the therapist and the patient, the counselor and the examined, the teacher and student, theminister and member (parishes), the officer and soldier, the prisoner and guard, has changed . Diversity has been identified as essential to the understanding of human nature…. The understanding of “diversity” is essential to the ultimate “healing” of the individual.
Diversity must now be reconfigured into the “healing equation”. Therefore, “Counseling in Psychology” now needs to be reset from its “mono-cultural” perspective in order to understand its 21st. Century client.
[Benefits]
A multicultural approach to “Counseling Psychology” is paramount to the achievement of a “more cohesive and perfect union” within our still developing “Democracy”. The prospective counselor/ patient/client-relationship can produce a more measured experience while achieving a more significant and positive results-- more often, with less difficulty, because the advice given is internalized more completely when Diversity / Multicultural perspectives, are recognized and valued (pg.47).
In summary, this author’s intent is to give “Counseling Psychology” a “make- over”, or, a reversal of roles, by allowing “Counseling Psychology” to become the Patient and “Multiculturalism” to become the Physician. The therapist, the practitioner, the teacher, now has the chance to evaluate each others’ role more empathetically than before …resulting in a more reliable, valued, lasting, but efficient understanding of healing as these two seem to accelerate toward completion in their interpersonal dance.view less