A Qualitative Examination of African American Counselors' Experiences of Addressing Issues of Race, Ethnicity, and Culture with Clients Of Color

Although many counselors consider themselves to be culturally aware, research has shown that deliberately and respectfully addressing race, culture, and ethnicity—particularly with clients of color—does not occur as consistently as it should, despite empirical evidence which documents that discussions about how racial and cultural factors shape the client's presenting problem contribute to favorable counseling outcomes. This exploratory study used a qualitative method to examine professional African American counselors' experiences of discussing racial, ethnic, and cultural issues with their culturally diverse clients. Critical race theory functioned as the research paradigm that guided this study. As a result, this study produced seven categories and four subcategories that explored the influences, thoughts, and understandings that came to bear on their efforts to discuss race, ethnicity, and culture with clients of color. Participants found that candid discussions about racial and cultural matters, in combination with a willingness to explore counselor-client differences, greatly enhanced the therapeutic rapport with clients. Furthermore, participants provided suggestions for graduate counseling programs to improve their multicultural curriculum, and they discussed the importance of counselors exercising multicultural competency both within and outside of clinical sessions. Essentially, this study examined the strategies that African American counselors use to explore cultural dynamics with clients of color. Implications for the counseling field are also recommended based on the findings.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Department dc:contributor.department

Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Arnold, Kristy Michelle

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Day-Vines, Norma L.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Hein, Serge F.
• Bodenhorn, Nancy E.
• Brand, Brenda R.

• clients of color
• cultural
• racial

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-04062010-181936

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/26667