Multicultural counseling

Original question:
In chapter 18, the authors question the cultural validity of diagnosing multicultural clients. What do the authors conclude about the issue? Do you agree with the authors? Why or why not?The main concern with assessing and diagnosing is cultural validity.

Students Response
Many people believe that failing to acknowledge the impact of cultural world views when diagnosing can result in unfair and unethical diagnoses (Hays & Erford, 2014). The authors believe that cultural validity in assessment can examine the cause and effect relationship between society and culture and the way people respond (Hays & Erford, 2014). Helms (2007) stated that diagnosing multicultural clients may create privilege for one group over another racial group.

I agree with the authors when they say that culture affects the diagnosis of multicultural client’s mental health issues. There is an abundance of research on the issue that supports this claim, which makes me believe this is an accurate statement and observation. I also concur with one of the specialist statements listed in the book, that it is nearly impossible to remove or change a person’s lifestyle from the culture that helps to mold their identity (Hays& Erford, 2014, p. 521). From my past research, I have found that children grow up to become a product of their environment by mimicking their influences such as parents, and peers as well as adapting to the mentalities that have been accepted within their community. I do not believe that with psychotherapy there is a one size fits all policy, therefore; I think it is interesting and a great idea that the Culture and Diagnosis Group recommends that there should be a DSM that would include more culturally realistic and extensive guidelines for handling multicultural clients.

References

Hays, D.G., Erford, B. T. (2014). Developing multicultural counseling competence: A systems approach (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Please write a response to the discussion above