Multicultural Counseling Video Analysis

Multicultural Counseling Video Analysis

This paper will look into the video, "Multicultural Counseling and Psychotherapy." The paper will discuss how counselors help clients become aware of their expression of cultural identity. It will discuss multicultural issues affecting clients and their situations. The paper will look at strategies that counselors can use to identify areas where multicultural issues are playing a role in the client's life. The paper will discuss my cultural views, the shaping of my identity, values and belief system.

During this video, the counselors assisted their clients to become aware of being in an unlike environment. The client in the video was having difficulties adjusting to a new culture. Dr. Winter C. Hamada said to Maria, “You know, it's actually very common for people who are transitioning from one culture to a new or different culture, to experience some difficulties adjusting.” With the client in agreement that allowed Dr. Hamada to explore in depth what was troubling Maria. During this time, the doctor was able to reflect on what her client was saying. Her reflection included open-ended questions, summarizing and paraphrasing to show the client that she was in tuned.

In the counseling session, we seen the Doctors trying to relate to their clients. Dr. Harris asked his client what type of role she would like him to play, and wondered if she had any ideas about what kind of relationship she would like for them to have. His client Puah made it clear that she would like for him to be honest. The strategy that the doctor used entails, communication, empathy, and acceptance (Multicultural Counseling and Psychotherapy, 2001).

The clients in the video were both introduced to new cultures. For some, it may be difficult to adjust to an environment that you are unfamiliar with. If the client is unable to adjust, this can become a multi-cultural issue. Depression is starting to develop and cause the client to feel displaced. The client named Puah demonstrated an example of her multi-cultural issue when she had to relocate to a place different from her original home. Puah had fears of being alone and being dependent on her family. Her self-esteem was also at the bare minimum she believes that she is a failure (Multicultural Counseling and Psychotherapy, 2001).

During the video, the Doctors used a combination of skills and strategies to assist the clients to identify their issues. One of the strategies used was “viewing clients culturally observing and understanding clients’ thoughts, actions, and feelings from a cultural point of view” (Multicultural Counseling and Psychotherapy, 2001). This skill helped Dr. Brooks highlight “the way culture shapes human functioning” (Multicultural Counseling and Psychotherapy, 2001). One of the strategies used by Dr. Hamada was "Clarifying the Impact of