A Handbook for Developing Multicultural Awareness

This book examines multicultural awareness training through a three-stage developmental sequence as a primary prevention strategy in counseling. It attempts to lead readers to find examples of how multicultural awareness can make their counseling task easier rather than harder and can increase their satisfaction in working with clients from other cultures. Chapter 1 highlights the three-stage model of Awareness-Knowledge-Skill. Chapter 2 details some of the rules to follow in a multicultural perspective to stimulate discussion. Chapter 3 discusses the field of alternative therapies. Chapter 4 covers the process of developing a cultural identity. Chapter 5 presents culture as a pattern, narrative, or story about who we are and where we came from, rather than focusing on current research in the field. Chapter 6 focuses on what is not known about multiculturalism, rather than focusing on current research in the field. Chapter 7 looks at ethical guidelines for counselors. Chapter 8 looks at how reframing conflict into cultural categories makes conflict easier to manage. Chapter 9 reviews the Triad Training Model as a promising training approach. Chapter 10 considers how multiculturalism had a powerful impact on the field of counseling and how this impact is increasing in importance. This book also attempts to guide readers toward specific publications and resources already available on developing multicultural awareness. (Contains 347 references.) (JDM)