Developing Multicultural Counseling Competency: A Systems Approach

by Danica G. Hays, Bradley T. Erford

This text is an innovative, evidence-based approach to facilitating students’ journey to becoming multiculturally competent counselors. Comprehensive, thoughtful, and in-depth, Developing Multicultural Competence goes beyond general discussions of race and ethnicity to include discourse on a broader, more complex view of multiculturalism in clients’ and trainees’ lives.



Both scholarly and highly interactive, this new text strives to present trainees with empirically-based information about multicultural counseling and social advocacy paired with engaging self-reflective activities, discussion questions, case inserts, and study aids, creating opportunities for experiential learning related to cultural diversity considerations and social advocacy issues within clients’ social systems. Addressing CACREP (2001/2009) Standards related to the Social and Cultural Diversity core area, the book is broken into four Part One covers key concepts and terms regarding multicultural constructs and cross-cultural communication; Part Two defines social advocacy and identifies the major forms of oppression; Part Three discusses the major cultural and diversity groups; and Part Four develops trainee skills for working with diverse clients, including infusing multiculturalism in how they conceptualize, evaluate, and treat these clients.

Genres: Counselling, Grad School, Textbooks, Psychology, School, Nonfiction, Read For School

500 pages, Hardcover

First published August 28, 2009

Reviews

[Mya · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a counselor in training, we were required to read this book for class. The book did a great job and explaining the foundations of what being a multicultural counselor looks like in today's society. However, there were a lot of jargon and bias (although unintentionally) in this book.

[Johnny Sprinkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re reading this, you already know what you’re getting into and it does exactly what it says.

So 👍

[Chloe Warneke]

This book is designed to inform readers who want to be counselors or counselors in training. This book covers different practices to improve your efficiency with culturally diverse clients. This book really emphasizes the significance of understanding the changes in cultures and being able to identify how culture, identity, and social systems relate to social work. I really enjoyed reading this book because of the system approaches they write about and the real case studies that engage readers in active learning. One thing I didn’t like about this book is that it is very complex and difficult to comprehend, as a lot is being thrown at you. However, I would definitely recommend this book to to anyone interested in counseling due to the fact that it was very informative and interesting.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate the variety of authors ~ each chapter is written by people who are engaged with the topics in the field. As with any cross-cultural book, it is difficult to avoid stereotyping. I do believe that the book does a good job of managing that as well as possible. It is certainly lacking in some regards, such as updated LGBTQIA information (one of my communities), though the terms are ever evolving and expanding these days, and it is a few years old. This has me wonder what else is old or missing from areas I am less familiar with. As mentioned by other reviewers, the XY and XX mistake is apalling. However, overall, the information is quality. It is a dense textbook, difficult to slog through sometimes because there is a lot to learn. They don't let you off easy. I appreciate that.

[Jenai Auman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers a ton of great insight into different cultural perspectives. Lots of depth and incredibly informative, it is certainly for education, but it was difficult to muster desire and excitement to read it. Even so, it is worth one’s time in developing a more robust, multicultural point of view, not only on counseling but in life as well.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I skipped the last two chapters, but after 500+ pages, I’m counting this as a read! I have never used so many highlighters!

[Annelise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author bias is unnecessarily evident in certain topics, but still very informative and a good place to start for someone who needs to understand and demonstrate cultural competence in their field

[Julianne Bigler]

Read chs 5,6,9-16

[Dena McGoldrick Butler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Required course reading.

[Keith Belvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out standing text.. A book every up and coming counselor should have in their library.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Some excellent insights, but some obvious gaps. A bit repetitive -- different unit authors would discuss the same topics/theories/methods in their respective sections, so you'd get the same info multiple times. Overall beneficial, and excellent resource lists to have for reference.

[Carolynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm kinda regretting now that I rented this book, instead of buying it. There really was a lot of information helpful to future professional counselors. The writing was tedious, but there were a LOT of case histories and client vignettes that gave an inside perspective on multicultural issues. It really is worthwhile reading.

[Eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great information, definitely broadens horizons, especially helpful were the case studies and personal accounts of people from all walks of life. Definitely recommend not just for future counselors but just to see get a perspective on how "others" live.

[Robin Rife · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a text book used for my master of arts in counseling program. This is a great resource to keep throughout academics in counseling. I feel my money was well spent as it will be used beyond the classroom requirements.

[Carissa Beard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information. Tedious style.

[Dave Wallace · Rating 1 out of 5]

Deals with many things inappropriately, especially vets.