Multiculturalism is a pervasive force in modern society of the U.A. that acknowledges the complexity of culture. Multicultural counseling is a helping process that places the emphasis for counseling theory and practice equally on the cultural impressi...
Multiculturalism is a pervasive force in modern society of the U.A. that acknowledges the complexity of culture. Multicultural counseling is a helping process that places the emphasis for counseling theory and practice equally on the cultural impressions of both the counselor and the client. In this sense, counseling professionals are expected to consider differences in language, social class, and culture between helper and client. Thus, this paper dealt with the multiculturalism in the U.S and discussed its relevnce to indigenization of counseling in Korea. With regard to the latter issue, the possibility of Korean cunseling is discussed.
The multiculturalism has been called the most important new idea to shape the field of counseling in the last 20 years. If the discipline of multicultural counseling is to have any relevacne in addressing differences between helper and client, a context must be developed for understanding the concept of culture. Thus, awareness within the counseling profession about indigenous models of helping that exist among cultural groups throughout the world. A culturally skilled counselor uses strategies and techniques that are consistent with the life experiences and cultural values of clients. In this sense, multuculturalism hs implications for Korean counseling.
Actually, there have been efforts to indigenize counseling in Korea. The Eastern culture in general and Korean culture in particular are different from the Western culture in many ways. Specifically, such religions or spiritual traditions as Buddhism, Taoism, Zen, Confucianism, and I-Ching have been guiding lights for Eastern people including Koreans. Thus, these pracitces can be applied in developing Korean counseling theory and practice. In the future, more discussions and practice for developing Korean counseling model are expected.