Multiculturalism Article Review

The assignment was to review and summarize a current peer-reviewed journal article on multiculturalism. This paper is is an original work and may not be used, in part or in whole, unless proper credit is assigned to the author.

      This article reports the results of a national survey completed by 151 professional counselors.  There were five areas covered in the survey concerning multicultural competence.  These areas were factors of multicultural competence, self-perceived multicultural competence, perceptions of multicultural competence of CACREP-Accredited and non-CACREP-Accredited program graduates, counselor's perceptions of adequacy of their multicultural training, and the relationship between selected demographics and multicultural competence.  This small study suggested that the counselors perceived themselves to be multiculturally competent and are most competent in the areas of awareness, skills and definitions.  They perceived themselves to be less competent on the knowledge and racial identity dimensions.  One of the most important findings concerned the adequacy of training.  The counselor's answers suggested that they felt it was insufficient.

      This study was chosen for review on the basis of its multicultural content.  I received my undergraduate degree in Early Childhood education in 1986.  Looking back on that time, I remember that we received no instruction in multiculturalism.  Maybe it wasn't invented yet!  We did not even have discussions in class that celebrated our differences much less recognize the wonderful diversity found in our public schools and community.

      I am curious about the counselors who reported themselves to be multiculturally competent and yet felt they were insufficiently prepared for this aspect of counseling.  Have they just naturally embraced diversity?  Have they researched world views, notions of kinship or spirituality issues on their own?  Have they immersed themselves in cultures different from their own?  It's hard to imagine this could easily fit into the schedule of a full-time employee.

      Our cohort is fortunate to not only receive multicultural training, but to have this aspect embraced in each class.  This is the preferred method of instruction suggested by this article.

      Holcomb-McCoy, C. C., & Myers, J. E. (1999).  Multicultural Competence and Counselor Training: A National Survey.  Journal of Counseling and Development, 77 (3), 294-305.