Counseling in cross cultural environment

Pastoral Counseling Across

CulturesHighlights of book by David

Augsberger.

Powerpoint by Bob Munson

There are three components of our personhood… our “trinity” as human beings:

1.“That which is like everyone else.” This is our HUMANITY

2.“That which is like no one else.” This is our INDIVIDUALITY

3.“That which is like some others.” This is our CULTURAL IDENTITY.

We often cannot tell which is which.This is particularly true in

Monocultures.

Why is this a problem?

Because when we try to “help” someone from a different culture, we might be simply trying to conform them to our cultural norm.

While many PC&C books offer an eclectic view of models, strategies, and techniques, most focus on a single overarching goal. That goal is to take someone from a dependent state to an independent state. This is a Western mindset. The unwritten assumption of Western society (and consequently Western counselors) is that an unhealthy individual is one who is dependent on people and structures around him. The goal of therapy is to engender a sense of autonomy or self-reliance in the individual.

However, in many societies, such a sense of independence from family, clan, or society is considered to be unhealthy. Rather, these societies (such as much of the Eastern and African cultures) see a healthy person as living and acting within strong social bonds. These bonds typically take precedence over self-determination.

“In mental distress, the Easterner tends towards independence, isolation, or acting out. Therapy tends to focus on learning dependence”. On the other hand, “In mental distress, the Westerner tends toward passive dependence, depression, helplessness. Therapy tends to focus on learning independence.” (page 88)

The author would argue that too much independence and too much dependence is unhealthy in any society. Therefore, a good universal goal is “Interdependence.” “Interdependence in social responsibility and solidarity with significant others.”

Thought #1Recognize the humanity that is present in all people across cultures. Try using the concept of “God’s Image” as a good model.

Thought #2Recognize that our humanity created in God’s Image can be recognized in all cultures… not just our own.

Thought #3Careful with labeling. A label… “robs the person of identity through profound mortification and depersonalization and forces an ascribed role with extremely difficult exit.” (317)

Thought #4Counselors should focus on the “normative” rather than the “descriptive.” Science loves description, labeling, “pidgeonholing”. But in counseling, we need to focus on cultural norms… which are variable.

Thought #5No society or culture is more prone to mental illness than others. This goes against the assumptions of many. However, it is true that certain problems link to certain cultures more than others.

Thought #6“The counselor is not value-free; no theory of therapy is, no effective therapist will be, no human being of integrity can be. Values are central to all truly human existence; values are essential to all healing and maturing in the therapeutic process.” (35)

Thought #6 (cont)Therefore, each counselor must be aware of these values and be willing to freely disclose them to the counselee.

Addendum A <Cultural Awareness>

Level

Information Mode Interpretation

1 Awareness of superficial or very visible cultural traits ; stereotypes

Tourism, textbooks Unbelievable: weird, exotic

2 Awareness of significant and subtle cultural traits that contrast markedly with one’s own.

Culture-conflict situations Unbe1ievable : frustrating, irritating

3 Awareness of the meanings of the cultural traits that contrast sharply with one’s own.

Intellectual analysis Believable: I understand cognitively

4 Awareness of how another culture feels from the standpoint of the insider.

Cultural immersion; living the culture

Believable: I understand affectively

Level Information Mode Interpretation




Culture-conflict situations

Unbe1ievable : frustrating, irritating






Addendum A

Level











It is doubtful whether a person can be effective in counseling someone from a different culture unless he/she is at least LEVEL 3 in his/her cultural awareness.

Addendum B <Ethical Systems>

Level











Three Major Ethical Systems<Augsberger, 250>

RIGHT/ WRONG GOOD/ EVIL FIT/ UNFITDeontological Teleological ContextualUnbending Flexible Flexible Rules (ends) (means)<Western> <Chinese> <Indian>


Level











Be careful here. Many Christians are positive that Biblical Ethics are Deontological (Thou shalt/shalt no). Some are convinced that is it Teleological (End justifies the means). But one finds all three systems supported in the Bible.


Level











Perhaps it is correct to assume that all ethical systems are pale, simplified cultural constructs that have elements of divine truth, yet are limited. In other words, all three systems have elements of truth and falsehood that should be respected and challenged.

Addendum C <Life Orientations>

Level











Control What controls one’s actions? External: Society controls one’s actions EC Internal: Personal belief controls one’s actions IC

Responsibility Who is responsible for what happens? External It’s God’s will ER Internal I am the captain of my fate. IR


Level











This leads to four categories

IC-IR I make my own decision, I accept responsibility for what happens <Western Ideal> IC-ER I make my own decisions. However, the way things are not my fault. <minority groups in oppressive societies> EC-IR I follow the crowd. I am responsible for what happens. <bi-cultural individuals. Some cultural racists> EC-ER I follow societies demand. I am not responsible for what happens. <Eastern Ideal>


Level











Western Ideal: IC-IR Healthy, High self-reliance, self-control, assertive, self- sufficient. self-responsible. IC-ER Angry activist. Revolutionary EC-IR Marginal person in oppressed minorities. No control over environment. Responsible for his/her own failure/poverty. EC-ER Learned helplessness. Non-assertive. Placating/passive. Depressed with hopeless feelings.


Level











Eastern Ideal: IC-IR Outsider. Isolated, an individual in a corporate community. Sociopathic IC-ER Deviant personality. Assuming private control of life, but not responsible for choices or actions. EC-IR Unhealthy personality. Blames self in depressive or hysteric “possession”. EC-ER Healthy personality in corporate solidarity with tribal values. Accepting group responsibility for choices, decision, actions.

Be careful in assuming which ideal, which ethical system, which life role is “more Biblical” than others… These choices may say more about our cultural upbringing than God’s ideal.

Pastoral Counseling Across

CulturesHighlights of book by David

Augsberger.

Powerpoint by Bob Munson

Counseling in cross cultural environment

Spiritual

Transcript of Counseling in cross cultural environment