Elias Moitinho, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT, BCPCC
How competent do you believe you are to counsel clients of diverse cultures? How do you engage your clients without ignoring their cultural background? How do you counsel effectively without making a client’s culture to be the root of the problems? How do you introduce Christ and maintain a solid biblical worldview with clients of diverse cultures?
These are some of the many questions that Christian counselors may struggle when it comes to multicultural counseling.
The Bible clearly teaches that God wants us to “accept one another” (Rom. 15:7). But, what does it mean? Accepting people and their cultures does not mean condoning sinful behaviors or sinful elements that are a part of a particular culture. Accepting and valuing a client’s culture is an essential strategy to effective multicultural counseling.
Since every culture has behavioral norms and values that are contrary to the teachings of Scriptures, Christian counselors must always remain faithful to Scriptures. Accepting others means viewing them as people made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27) who are in need of redemption (Rom 3:23). Here are a few tips that Christian counselors need to know to become multiculturally competent.
1. Understand that language use is a delicate and complex issue.
Several immigrants come from countries that have a language other than English. A common scenario among immigrant families is the intergenerational conflict due to children’s acculturation. Second generation immigrants or young immigrant children usually learn the English language easily and tend to speak English fluently. Most of them develop a preference for using English as their first language.
However, first generation immigrant parents often see their language as the main connection with the culture of their country of origin. They believe it is their responsibility to make the children learn their family language. One of the reasons is so that their children can be connected to their culture and to their family members in their country of origin. Sometimes their approach may be forceful out of frustration and their children’s resistance may be perceived as rebellion.
In order to solve this dilemma,.families tend to use a variety of approaches. For instance, in families with bilingual parents, one parent might be designated to speak to the children in one language whereas the other parent does it in English. Some families have implemented a rule of using only the language of their country of origin inside their home. Thus, understanding the language dynamics of a family is of utmost importance for engaging the clients.
2. Making a good first impression is essential.
Building a solid relationship and earning a client’s trust is essential for effective counseling. However, this can be a very complex process in multicultural counseling due to diverse cultural values, norms, and expectations for relationships. For instance, when counseling Hispanic/Latino individuals and their families, building a relationship can make or break the counseling process.
The Hispanic/Latino culture strongly emphasizes friendliness and warmth in relationships. This emphasis can be summarized by a common welcoming Spanish expression “Mi casa es su casa,” which is equivalent to the English expression “make yourself at home.” It is a saying that reflects the fact that one has been accepted within a home. Counselors will do well to practice this attitude towards Hispanic/Latino clients. Doing so will communicate “make yourself at home in my office.” So, making clients feel welcome in a way that is a meaningful to them makes a good first impression.
3. Take advantage of the AACC 2013 World Conference’s Ethnicity, Global Issues and Special Populations Track.
It is the Christian counselor’s responsibility to continue to develop skills to become more multiculturally competent. The AACC 2013 World Conference in Nashville will offer an array of opportunities for anyone who wants to develop multicultural competencies. Click the links below for more information.
3-Hour Pre-Conference Workshop
- Cultural Competency in Working with Diverse Populations: Applications for African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian Clients by Mark Crear, Ph.D., Elias Moitinho, Ph.D., and Wei-Jen Huang, Ph.D.
Conference Workshops
- Counseling Asians: Cultural Competency in a Diverse World by Wei-Jen Huang, Ph.D.
- Mi Casa es Su Casa: Essentials for Counseling Hispanic/Latino Clients Effectively by Elias Moitinho, Ph.D., Fernando Garzon, Psy.D., and Zoricelis Davila, M.A.
- Colorism and the Mental Health of African-Americans by Margaret Weaver, Ph.D.
- Counseling American Indians by Kurt Fetter, M.Ed.
- Am I Still Me?? Cross Cultural Challenges for Workers, Refugees and Immigrants by Lois Dodds, Ph.D.
- Beyond Our Borders: International Involvement in Christian Counseling by Bradford Smith, Ph.D. and Fred Gingrich, D.Min.
- International Partnerships for Trauma: Healing for Africa by Kim Champion, Ph.D. and J.D. Willets, Ph.D.
These workshops will give Christian counselors an opportunity to be equipped for effective multicultural counseling. The Bible says that God is the one who will “equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever” (Heb. 13:21). So, make plans to attend some of these amazing workshops. I believe God will use many of his servants during the AACC Conference to equip Christian counselors to be multiculturally competent. I’ll see you there!
Elias Moitinho, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT, BCPCC serves as Director of M.A. Counseling Licensure Programs, Director of Clinical Training, and Associate Professor of Counseling at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. Dr. Moitinho has many years of pastoral ministry, counseling, and teaching experience having served in various roles such as pastor, counselor, seminary professor, and director of a Christian counseling center. Prior to joining Liberty he served as the Hope for the Heart chair of Biblical counseling at Southwestern Baptist Theological seminary in Fort Worth, TX. Dr. Moitinho is interested in cross-cultural counseling focusing specifically on the Hispanic/Latino population. In addition to his ministry experience in his native country of Brazil, Dr. Moitinho has taught as guest professor in seminaries in Mexico, Cuba, and Spain. He is an active member of the AACC. His email address is emoitinho2@liberty.edu.