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Optimal conceptual theory (OCT) is a holistic model espousing a person's reality is simultaneously spiritual and material, encapsulating biological, social, cognitive, and spiritual elements, conceptualized through an Africana worldview. Although created over 31 years ago, very little literature exists examining OCT as a viable counseling theory with clients. The purpose of this article is to correct that trend and provide a brief case example illustrating how to utilize OCT in a counseling setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the recent proliferation of neuroscience‐backed literature in counseling, the lack of connection to multiculturalism is disquieting. The critique is that there is a dearth on the application of neuroscience with clients of color, specifically Black populations. This article provides a critique of neuroscience and its implications and applicability for Black populations. The rationale for the specificity was to give counselors a concrete method to apply with an underserved populace, coupled with specific clinical considerations/guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of counseling has been expanding over the globe in recent decades. Countries newly establishing the profession seem to adapt Western‐originated theories and practices without sufficient alteration or modification to their local cultures. Turkey with its 70 years of experience with counseling is a significant example. In this paper, the need for integrating foreign theories, concepts, and practices into the local‐host cultures will be discussed from social justice and de‐colonialization point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interpretative phenomenological analysis explored the experiences of former Chinese international students trained as counselors in a United States‐based program (n = 9), both with respect to training and work experiences upon returning to China. Themes included strong counselor identity, struggles with adapting to mental health policies in China, and complications acclimating to training in the United States. Suggestions for educators include emphasis on international education and adjustments to hiring practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upward of 80% of Black people speak some variant of African American English (AAE). The counseling profession is a language‐oriented form of help seeking, yet the relevance of linguistic diversity in a counseling context is largely absent from scholarly literature. Using Critical Race Theory as a theoretical framework, the authors provide a definition of AAE, as well as historical and sociopolitical contextual information about AAE. Important clinical implications for working effectively with AAE speakers are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discourse represents the languages, ideas, and images that together shape one's understanding of the world. In counseling, discourse determines clinical practice. The authors posit that dominant discourse in counseling promotes an intrapsychic status quo that discounts the relationship between individuals and their environment, which often leads to office‐bound interventions that are inadequate in addressing issues of oppression. The counselor–advocate–scholar model (Ratts & Pedersen, ) is introduced to expand current discourse to include advocacy and research to better address systems of oppression. El discurso representa los idiomas, ideas e imágenes que, en su conjunto, dan forma a nuestra comprensión del mundo. En la consejería, el discurso determina la práctica clínica. Los autores proponen que el discurso dominante en la consejería promueve un status quo intrapsíquico que no tiene en cuenta la relación entre los individuos y su medio, lo que con frecuencia lleva a intervenciones limitadas a la oficina que no resuelven de forma adecuada los problemas relacionados con la opresión. Se introduce el modelo consejero‐defensor‐investigador (Ratts & Pedersen, ) para expandir el discurso actual de forma que incluya la defensoría e investigación, y así abordar mejor los sistemas de opresión. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The continuum of broaching behavior is a conceptual framework explicating how counselors broach or have explicit discussions about racial, ethnic, and cultural factors with their clients during treatment (Day-Vines et al., 2007). Counselors can assume 5 particular broaching orientations: avoidant, isolating, continuing/incongruent, integrated/congruent, and infusing. The authors operationalized the continuum of broaching behavior using the Broaching Attitudes and Behavior Scale and found support for a 4-factor model of broaching behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interview with the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD) president from 1989-1990, Courtland C. Lee, is presented. When asked to recall events in life which pushed him towards multiculturalism, he cites growing up during the civil rights movement of the 1960s as having an effect on the way he sees the world. He discusses how he got into the counseling field. Lee also describes his leadership strengths, saying that he sees himself as a visionary.

The article presents an analysis regarding the interviews conducted on the five African American male past presidents of the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD). It states that the interview offered different perspectives into minority leadership. Furthermore, it mentions that the themes observed in the interview include historical events affected development, communal world view diffused actions, as well as personal traits and external resources promoted resilience.

An interview with the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD) president from 1992-1993, Quincy L. Moore, is presented. When asked about events that helped him in his journey towards multiculturalism, he recalled his memory as a child while living in Chicago, Illinois. He describes his leadership strengths as an individual from the minority and believes that listening is an important leadership skill. He also talks about his involvement with AMCD and his contributions.

An interview with the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD) president from 1991-1992, Clemmie Solomon, is presented. When asked about Solomon's organizational leadership strength, Solomon emphasizes on teamwork. Solomon recalls events that got him involved in the counseling field and discusses his accomplishments as the president of AMCD.

An interview with the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD) president from 1990-1991, Thomas Parham, is presented. When asked about the events in life that helped him towards multiculturalism, Parham cited his being born in a broken family. Parham talks about his mother's job when his mother was still working for the government. He also believes that his being president of the AMCD was destined.

Transculturals spend their formative years in countries other than their country of origin. Specific issues addressed in this article are unique characteristics, prevalence rates, and developmental outcomes of transculturals. The author provides a culturally sensitive treatment model for transculturals, based on G. Roysircar's (2009) Multicultural Relationship Model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an effort to provide clarity and future direction in training and research practices, this article consolidates the literature related to outcomes from a single multicultural counseling course (e.g., a course of 15 to 17 weeks). A critique of the literature and implications for future research and training are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arguably, the defining feature of the counseling profession is an appreciation for human diversity. Early counseling movements emphasized individual diversity, while multiculturalism and social justice highlighted cultural diversity. The author maintains that contemporary psychoanalytic thought can supply a needed intraindividual diversity perspective, which has been suppressed by dominant ideologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bias is a central concept in multicultural competency, but counseling research has largely ignored implicit bias. A review of bias research in counseling indicates that increased focus on implicit bias is warranted because counselors tend not to report explicit bias and have implicit bias that diverges from their self-reported attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stories have long been used in various cultures and settings to help make meaning and enhance awareness. The authors describe how reflection on and discussion of myths and fairy tales in supervision may help transcend cultural boundaries and increase multicultural understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A more accessible approach to using multicultural counseling competence is presented to bridge the researcher--practitioner gap and increase the likelihood of quality clinical services. The focus of the approach is on counselor awareness, knowledge, and skills as they relate to the most important contextualing factors: ethnic culture and the culture of the presenting problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this qualitative study, the authors explored definitions of multicultural competence given by 99 frontline human service providers. The providers had no formal training in counseling but served in a helping role. Seven thematic definitions emerged: color blindness, client focused, acknowledgment of cultural differences, textbook consistent, resource driven, skills-based, and self-integrated. Implications for multicultural competence are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors surveyed a national sample of masters-level counseling students regarding their multicultural training experiences and their attitudes toward racial diversity and gender equity (see G. L. Dickson & D. A. Jepsen, 2007). Hierarchical regression models showed that student perceptions of program cultural ambience predicted positive cognitive attitudes toward racial diversity Participatory instructional strategies predicted positive affective attitudes toward racial diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifty-one clients were surveyed to examine the effect of counselor discussion of racial and ethnic differences in counseling. Analyses revealed that White counselors who discussed these differences with their clients of color were rated as more credible and as having stronger working alliances than those who did not discuss such differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors examined differential contributions of Black racial identity and racial attitudes toward Whites in determining counselor preferences. Results indicated that racial attitudes accounted for a significant portion of the variance in same- race counselor preference. In addition, Black racial attitudes were distinguished from racial identity as independent contributors to counselor preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the cross-cultural differences on state, trait, and social anxiety between Chinese and Caucasian American university students. Chinese students reported higher levels of social anxiety than did Caucasian American students. Correlations between trait and state anxiety were com- pared in light of the trait model of cross-cultural psychology, Implications for multicultural counseling are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the Delphi method, university counseling center supervisors with significant experience in multicultural supervision generated and ranked elements of successful and unsuccessful multicultural supervision. Twenty-seven of 35 successful elements and 24 of 33 unsuccessful elements involved cultural considerations. Multicultural supervision was defined as a supervisory situation in which the individuals in the supervisory dyad differed in their ethnicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author defines and presents a rationale for service learning, provides procedures for implementing service learning with children affected by poverty, and describes methods of facilitating multicultural counseling competence. Examples are provided from a graduate counseling class that conducted group play therapy with 11 African American children at a community center. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors discuss the use of storybooks to promote multicultural sensitivity among elementary school children. The increasing diversity in the United States dictates that children are sensitive to cultural differences of individuals from varied backgrounds. Because they are in a formative stage of life, children are an ideal population with which to begin teaching about diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined critical incidents in graduate students' multicultural counseling training. Trainees (N = 59) were asked to describe a critical incident and their multicultural training environment by responding to a critical incident protocol and the Multicultural Environment Inventory-Revised (D. B. Pope-Davis, W.M. Liu, J.Nevitt, & R. L. Toporek, 2000). Results and implications of the study are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Appalachians have been referred to as the forgotten people and are often overlooked in multicultural counseling. A case study is presented using the extended case method to enhance counselor awareness and demonstrate how counselors can apply knowledge of the Appalachian culture in the provision of best practices for this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors present core ideas or constructs that might be integral to a feminist and multicultural model of consultation. According to the model, the structure of consultation is (a) nonhierarchical and (b) an open triad (incorporating extrapersonal and outside factors).The process of consultation is (c) culturally responsive and (d) empowering. The role of the consultant is as (e) an agent for change and (f) an advocate for both the client and the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixteen members of the Section for the Advancement of Women conference work group identified themes and issues relevant to a feminist multicultural perspective on supervision. Issues raised included feminist silence and white privilege, the importance of self-examination, the courage to be anxious, personal commitment to uncertainty, and isolation versus support. Specific risks for supervisors and supervisees participating in feminist multicultural supervision are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors review current literature on issues facing American Indian (Al) women and discuss implications for providing culturally sensitive counseling with these women. A case study of a Dine (Navajo) woman living within mainstream society and holding true to her traditional cultural beliefs illustrates how a culturally responsive approach to counseling Al women is integral for individual counseling with this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation tested the ability of portfolios to stimulate the acquisition of multicultural counseling competence within counselors-in-training and compared portfolios with another method of competence development, case formulation. Results indicate that portfolios benefit the acquisition of multicultural counseling competence. Implications for training in multicultural counseling competence are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Native American humor is explored through a brief discussion of the current literature regarding the use of humor in counseling and descriptions of various forms and communication styles of Native humor as spiritual tradition. Implications for multicultural awareness in the use of humor and possible use of Native humor in counseling with Native clients are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Any framework used to conceptualize the career development of women and of racial and ethnic minorities must accommodate multiple influences shaping their experiences concurrently and over time. An ecological model of counseling is proposed to expand conceptualizations and interventions of counseling practice with diverse groups of individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors explore the ethical issues and challenges frequently encountered by counselor educators of multicultural course work. Existing ethics codes are examined, and the need for greater specificity with regard to teaching courses of multicultural content is addressed. Options for revising existing codes to better address the challenges of multicultural counselor education are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author describes the development of a 20-hour curriculum to train clinical managers to enhance the cultural competence of their staff. After training, managers reported improvements in their multicultural competence and in the ability to enhance their staff's cultural competence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much of multicultural research has been based on normative methodological approaches. In this article, the authors discuss how idiographic approaches can be used to further explore issues that are relevant to multicultural counseling. Case examples are presented to illustrate how this approach can be used to improve understanding regarding the development of racial identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article addresses multicultural counseling competencies from the perspective of quantitative assessment, A conceptual review of the current measures identifies 4 relevant issues: (a) diverse factor structures, (b) the working definition of multicultural awareness, (c) test takers' frame of reference, and (d) the implications of an inclusive definition of culture for assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports the development of trainee multicultural awareness through a content analysis of reflections on mentoring English as a second language students. Identified themes show relationships with the Multicultural Counseling Inventory (G. R. Sodowsky, 1996) and White Racial Identity Attitudes Scale (J. E. Helms, 1990). Results suggest that guided experiential components of multicultural training can be effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on and discusses the use of the immersion experience in a multicultural counseling course as a means of confronting unacknowledged racism on the part of White students. An abbreviated version of weekly journal entries from an immersion experience is presented, and the racial identity challenges faced are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author describes and evaluates her experience participating in a service-learning project in a Human Diversity course designed to foster multicultural competence in clinical psychology doctoral trainees. The project took place at an English as a Second Language (ESL) program that offered an array of services, including ESL courses and individual tutors. The author had the opportunity to examine the workings of a successful multicultural organization, engage in an individual cross-cultural relationship, and examine her own cultural identity, biases, beliefs and attitudes within the framework of an ongoing relationship. Utilizing John Berry's (2001) theory of acculturation, the author evaluates the workings of the ESL program, as well as her own work as a tutor, acknowledging integration and multiculturalism as the ideal outcomes of cross-cultural contact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article identifies ways professionals perpetuate misperceptions about mentoring when engaging in traditional methods of mentoring. Fassinger's feminist model of mentoring is expanded by incorporating multicultural elements into the model. The authors' definition of ‘multiculturalism’ is inclusive of individuals from different races, ethnicities, socioeconomic strata, ability levels, sexual orientations, religious affiliations, etc. Misperceptions and realities associated with the revised multicultural feminist mentoring model are discussed regarding their applicability to students in academe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article summarizes major themes associated with 3 literatures regarding pedagogy and training about diversity issues: (a) the diversity feminisms, (b) the multicultural education literature, and (c) the literature on multicultural counselor training. In addition to providing a brief overview of multiple approaches within these 3 literatures, this article describes general implications for pedagogy. It concludes with preliminary suggestions for integrating these models so that educators and trainers may attend to the intersections of multiple identities and oppressions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feminist teaching is suggested as a promising pedagogy for the development of counselors' multicultural understanding. The ways in which feminist teaching principles and practices are useful in multicultural counseling training, as well as challenges to the implementation of feminist teaching are examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of feminist and multicultural approaches to psychotherapy, called for many times, has not yet materialized. This article reviews possible reasons this integration has not taken place and offers an approach to integration based on the guiding principles of power and responsibility, which builds on previous theories and approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming to integrate feminist and multicultural contributions to counseling, 6 values of counseling are defined and elucidated: a focus on strengths, the concept of the optimally functioning person, sensitivity to life span and career development, understanding the person in context, and incorporating prevention efforts. Attention to cultural factors is stressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes a multicultural feminist collaborative consultation international approach in postcommunist societies in transition. The authors address how Western and Eastern divergent values can impact the consultation process. Development of collaborative consultation and the contributions of multicultural and feminist theories are discussed. Finally, the authors offer working principles and mechanisms for effective consultation practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article highlights 2 African-American women participants' unique experiences and perspectives in the Supervision and Training work group at the Division 17's Section for the Advancement of Women (SAW) Michigan conference. Differences between the authors' and White group members' experiences and perceptions are presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasingly, the psychological literature has begun to address both feminist and multicultural concerns, although these fields have rarely incorporated each others' diverse and vibrant ideas. This article explores the connections between feminist and multicultural psychology, and encourages the profession to more fully embrace and affirm both theories and traditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the relationship of identity development, measured by the Self-Identity Inventory (SII), and universal-diverse orientation (UDO) to multicultural counseling competence. After controlling for personal identity variables, multicultural coursework and training, and social desirability, multiple regression analyses indicated SII and UDO accounted for significant additional variance in multicultural competency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]