The Importance of Diversity in Counselling Contexts
C0602- Counselling contexts
Tutor: Kevin Hogan
Submission date: 31st May 2013
‘The importance of diversity in counselling contexts’
The importance of diversity in counselling has been the subject of much research over the last 50 years Patterson (1996) and is aimed at preventing inequalities among different population groups regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, social class, age, physical abilities and religious beliefs/beliefs. (Patterson, 1996)
When considering the different contexts in which counselling takes place, diversity appears to be the most distinguishing factor that is linked to client satisfaction Hankins (2007) and is aimed at providing a more ‘universal system of counselling’. (Patterson, 1996, p.227)
In order to address the essay question the first section of this essay will discuss three of the organisational settings where counselling/ counselling skills take place. Placing more emphasis on the last context (secondary schools) by critically discussing the use of counselling/counselling skills as well as considering and highlighting possible challenges presented from this particular context. Secondly, with the focus still remaining on counselling/ counselling skills in secondary educational settings, it will critically discuss issues of power and diversity in connection to clients with disabilities and the impact this may have on the counselling relationship. Finally the essay will then critically evaluate the impact that diversity has on counselling while considering one’s own background and self in relation to diversity.
The various settings that counselling/counselling skills take place include medical settings, where a range of approaches to counselling/ counselling skills have been evidenced. (Whitlock et al, 2004; Boston, 2000; Reynolds, 1999, (as cited in McLeod, 2009) & Marchand, 1998). The variety of staff that offer counselling/counselling skills include doctors, nurse’s speech and language therapists
Tutor: Kevin Hogan
Submission date: 31st May 2013
‘The importance of diversity in counselling contexts’
The importance of diversity in counselling has been the subject of much research over the last 50 years Patterson (1996) and is aimed at preventing inequalities among different population groups regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, social class, age, physical abilities and religious beliefs/beliefs. (Patterson, 1996)
When considering the different contexts in which counselling takes place, diversity appears to be the most distinguishing factor that is linked to client satisfaction Hankins (2007) and is aimed at providing a more ‘universal system of counselling’. (Patterson, 1996, p.227)
In order to address the essay question the first section of this essay will discuss three of the organisational settings where counselling/ counselling skills take place. Placing more emphasis on the last context (secondary schools) by critically discussing the use of counselling/counselling skills as well as considering and highlighting possible challenges presented from this particular context. Secondly, with the focus still remaining on counselling/ counselling skills in secondary educational settings, it will critically discuss issues of power and diversity in connection to clients with disabilities and the impact this may have on the counselling relationship. Finally the essay will then critically evaluate the impact that diversity has on counselling while considering one’s own background and self in relation to diversity.
The various settings that counselling/counselling skills take place include medical settings, where a range of approaches to counselling/ counselling skills have been evidenced. (Whitlock et al, 2004; Boston, 2000; Reynolds, 1999, (as cited in McLeod, 2009) & Marchand, 1998). The variety of staff that offer counselling/counselling skills include doctors, nurse’s speech and language therapists
References: Aldridge, S & Rigby, S. (2001) Counselling skills in context. Dawsonera. Available at: http://www.dawsonera.com/abstract/9781444106718 (Accessed 16 May 2012) Atkins, S., Leitner, N., Patterson, W Boston, P. (2000) ‘Systematic family therapy and the influence of post-modernism’ Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 6, pp.450-457. Available at http://apt.rcppsych .org/content/6/6/450.full.pdf+html (Accessed 1 May 2013) Bozarth, J Casemore, R. (2005) An Overview of the Person-Centred Approach to Counselling. Available at:http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/12247 Casemore/Chapter1.pdf (Accessed 1 May 2013) Evan, G Hankins, J. (2007) Cultural Diversity and Successful Counselling. Available at:http://voices.yahoo.com/cultural-diversity-successful-counselling-193052.html?cat=72 (Accessed 3 May 2013) Kaner, E., Bland, M., Cassidy, P., Coulton, S., Dale, V Lees-Oakes, R. (2011) Person-Centred Therapy – A Critique. Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-Mx0fsFkBs (Accessed 27 April 2013) McKenzie, K., Murray, G., Prior, S McLeod, J. (2009) An Introduction to Counselling. 4th edn. Maidenhead: Open University Press Mearns, D Moore, J. & Roberts, R. (2010) Counselling and Psychotherapy in Organisational Settings. Exeter: Learning Matters Ltd Nathaniel, G., Wade, L., Worthington, J Saunders, D. & Willis, F. (2003) Counselling for anxiety problems. 2nd edn. London: Sage Publications Ltd Stratton, P Ward, R. & Pointon, C. (2004) ‘Thoughts on therapy and disability’ Journal of counselling and Psychotherapy, 15 (8), pp.18-20. PsycARTICLES [online]. Available at: http://gateway.uk.ovid.com (Accessed 28 April 2013) West, W West, W. S. (1998) Therapy as a spiritual process. London: Sage publications LTD Woodruff, R