Blog 9

I enjoyed doing the case study assignment last week.  I felt like I was able to apply the situation more towards a clinical setting and appreciated the client-centered focus that multicultural competencies requires.  I appreciated the experience of conceptualizing what the client’s culture would mean in terms of approach and the practice of forming treatment goals within the boundaries of the client’s culture and values.  I wish that the case studies included more information about the client’s thoughts and feelings so that I could more knowledgably assess aspects of the case.  I think the tenants of multicultural counseling can be used in career counseling with individuals who have disabilities.  The counseling work should be done in the terms of the client’s abilities and values.  The counselor should have good understanding of what the disability is, what limitations it may be associated with, what social stigma it may carry, and what advantages it may provide.  For example if it is a cognitive disability, the counselor should understand what the client may be able to understand, what the impact of others may be on the client, and what positive aspects may come from the disability.  In regards to the discussion about our case study papers, I found it interesting that many people in the class chose people who seemed to be successful, in professional roles, or middle class socioeconomic status. 

            Brown’s Chapter 14 discusses career counseling in a private practice setting (2012).  Reading over some of this information, I found it hard to see how career counseling in a private setting as a financially stable business.  These clients would have to have some source of income or job stability to be able to afford the career counseling which makes me assume they are of at least middle class.  It will be most likely that I will be working with clients who are not seeking private practice out of pocket.  I understand that job life is an important piece of a person’s whole life and that aspects of psychotherapy may focus on these problems, but I prefer to help clients learn the skills to make decisions and find information on their own than a directive approach.  I do not foresee it being appropriate for me to provide direct counseling in terms of giving advice about career options or assistance with resumes.  That does not fit in with the ideals of what psychotherapy is.  I would assist clients in learning how and where they can access those resources or problem solve on what they can do in terms of making decisions.   I find having no regulations or standards for career coaching a very scary and unethical concept.  It seems like it is a good opportunity for someone who scams others to take advantage of people in a vulnerable position.  This could cause foreseeable problems in building a good rapport with a client who may have had negative experiences from a career coach.

Brown, D. (2012).  Career information, career counseling, and career development (10^th ed.). New York: Pearson Education, Inc.