Domain I: Acknowledge the Ubiquitous Nature of Culture in Counselling
What has become clear to me over my years of teaching, clinical practice, research, and writing is that all of my interactions are influenced in one way or another by culture. When we expand the definition of culture to include Indigeneity, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, age, religion or spirituality, and social class (Collins, 2018), none of us can ever completely step outside our cultural heritage, identities, or contexts. This is also true for the clients we encounter. The word ubiquitous, literally means ever-present. This first domain of the CRSJ counselling model examines the pervasive influence of culture on counsellors, clients, and the interplay between them.
The three chapters in this section of the teaching and learning guide provide learning activities related to the three core competencies (CC) in this domain. These competencies will be referred to as CC1 Cultural Sensitivity, for example, in the chapter titles.
Core Competencies for CRSJ Counselling
Domain I: Acknowledge the Ubiquitous Nature of Culture in Counselling
CC1 Cultural Sensitivity: Engage in cultural self-exploration as a foundation for cultural sensitivity towards client cultural identities and relationalities.
CC2 Intersectionality: Appreciate and reflect critically on the complexity and intersectionality of cultural identities and relationalities.
CC3 Worldviews: Value the diversity of worldviews, and prioritize client beliefs, values, and assumptions.
Note. Copyright 2018 by S. Collins.
Please take a moment to listen to the podcast below in which I share some of my thinking related to this first domain in the CRSJ counselling model.
Podcast coming soon . . .
References
Collins, S. (2018). Embracing cultural responsivity and social justice: Re-shaping professional identity in counselling psychology [Epub version]. Victoria, BC: Counselling Concepts. Retrieved from http://www.counsellingconcepts.ca
