Multicultural Competence

For this discussion, select one of the case vignettes from the presentationMulticultural Competence – Case Study from this unit’s first study and imagine that you are the counselor working with the clients or student in this situation. Identify the areas of multicultural competence needed for working with these clients or this student. Identity your personal values and beliefs. Detail how any biases you have might impact your reaction to the student or clients. What steps will you take to ensure ethical practice? Discuss the skills and intervention strategies you might need to work with these clients or this student? How will you gain this knowledge?

**CASE STUDY**

You are a staff counselor working at a community mental health clinic. Your caseload includes working clients from diverse backgrounds who have serious and chronic mental disorders. One of your clients, a 20-year-old man from Central Africa, has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. One day his parents are present when you make a home visit. They want to invite the extended family to a healing ceremony for their son and have asked a local shaman to perform a ritual to banish any bad spirits that are interfering with their son’s cure. Because you have been successful in establishing a relationship with their son, they respect you and want you to take part in the ceremony.