Abstract

For many people counseling is a terrifying experience. Just the thought of sharing your deepest fears or most private problems can be overwhelming. We can all agree that counseling is a necessary option for people in our society. What I have researched is the importance that we focus on the quality of this service. Unfortunately, many people have had bad experiences with counselors that prevent them from getting the help they need. Some of these bad experiences could have been potentially avoided if the counselors were more culturally competent. Cultural competency is essential for counselors who want to be effective in counseling culturally diverse clients. Cultural competency is achieved through defining cultural competence, understanding the steps needed to develop cultural competence, navigating the barriers that prevent cultural competence, relating communication to cultural competence, and extensive education and/or training. I have completed in depth research to support the importance of properly training professional counselors to become culturally competent. In my research project, I will clearly define what cultural competency is and what it is not. Then, I will lay out proper steps one can take to develop cultural competency. I will identify barriers that can prevent someone from achieving cultural competence and also discuss the relationship between communication and cultural competence. Lastly, I will explain the needed education and training that counselors will need to develop cultural competence.

Year Manuscript Completed

Spring 2022

Senior Project Advisor

George Barton

Degree Awarded

Bachelor of Integrated Studies Degree

Field of Study

Human Services

Document Type

Thesis

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