Multiracial/ethnic/cultural background

In the year 2050, it is estimated that one out of five people in the United States will be of multiracial/ethnic/cultural background. In this chapter, we have primarily discussed people of a single racial/ethnic/cultural group.

How might issues discussed in this chapter (e.g., ethnic matching in the counselor-patient relationship, barriers to seeking treatment) be similar or different for those who are of multiple racial/ethnic/cultural backgrounds?

We have reviewed several barriers to that are seeking to mental health services that may explain racial/ ethnic disparities. Think about the category of gender.

Do you think there would also be gender disparities in seeking out and utilizing mental health services? If so, explain what specific barriers may account for these disparities. Answer accordingly.

In the Canadian clinical training program described towards the end of the chapter, one of the emphases was to move away from learning about people of other cultures, and instead focus on learning and understanding one’s own cultural background and assumptions. One reason for this emphasis was to discourage cultural and ethnic group stereotyping. In your opinion, do you think that learning about people of other cultures would tend to foster cultural stereotypes? Why or why not?

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