Problem:
The discomfort in the room happened because Miguel's response didn't fit the family's way of communicating. In many Latino families, especially traditional ones, it is normal for the father to speak for the family. When Miguel asked the mother to speak directly to her son, it challenged those roles and probably made everyone feel awkward. The silence showed that the family felt uncomfortable and unsure about how to respond.
Miguel could have handled the situation better by slowing down and learning more about the family first. He could have asked questions about how they usually communicate or acknowledged the father's role instead of interrupting it. Taking time to build trust would have helped him choose a more respectful intervention.
Miguel assumed that direct and assertive communication is always healthier and that triangulation should be corrected.. These ideas don't always apply across cultures. Respecting a family's values helps build trust and keeps clients engaged.
The video of The Multicultural Paradigm Interviews shows how important multicultural awareness is in counseling. One thing that stood out to me was how much culture influences the way people communicate and understand their problems. The speakers explained that counselors need to be aware of their own beliefs and biases so they don't unintentionally put their values onto clients.
The video also made it clear that there isn't one counseling approach that works for everyone. What helps one client may not help another, depending on their background and experiences. Overall, this interview showed that multicultural competence is something counselors continue to work on over time. Staying open, respectful, and willing to learn from clients is key to building effective counseling relationships. Need Assignment Help?
References:
Corey, G., Corey, M. S., & Corey, C. (2019). Issues & Ethics in the Helping Professions (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.
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