cross-cultural counseling: a focus on asian americans and pacific ...

1. Cross-Cultural Counseling: A focus on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Jenny Ellefson, Lise Odden, Giustina Pelosi, and Liz Shatzer

3. Self-Awareness Activity ~ 3-2-1 Bridge On the topic of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, think of: 3 words 2 questions Describe an image you see when you think of Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders

4. Who? Chinese Filipino Japanese Asian Indian Korean Vietnamese Cambodian Hmong Laotian Thai Hawaiian Samoan Guamanian And More!

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6. How? Over 16 million AAPIs in the U.S. Asian American population grew 2.9% between 2006 and 2007 Pacific Islander population grew 1.6% between 2006 and 2007 Washington State has 3rd largest population of Pacific Islanders in the U.S. (U.S. Census Bureau)

7. Asian American Cultural Values and Behavior Patterns Keep in mind that there are always individual differences based on~ Degree of acculturation Socioeconomic status Education level Family dynamics and history Ethnic group

8. Collectivist Perspective Needs of the family/group come first before individual needs/desires Interdependence Relationship harmony Hierarchical Relationships Patriarchal structure Value placed on respect, obedience Communication flows downward Asian American Cultural Values and Behavior Patterns

9. Parenting Authoritarian/directive Emotional Expression Value placed on emotional self-control, reserve Holistic Mind/Body Orientation Emotional/psychological distress often manifested in somatic symptoms Academic/Career Focus Academic and career success highly valued Discrimination Inaccurate/negative stereotypes, seen as �foreign,� workplace discrimination Asian American Cultural Values and Behavior Patterns

10. Model Minority Myth Success~ Financially Academically Strong family ties Stable Problem free AAPIs have �made it� in U.S. society Myth causes neglect of real and painful problems of entire group

11. Immigrants & Poverty In reality, Asia & Pacific Islands~ 2/3 of world�s chronically undernourished & hungry people (Tuason, 2008) Filipinos~ 2nd largest immigrant group in U.S. (Tuason) Chinatowns, Manilatowns, Japantowns Recently arrived SE Asians at largest risk of financial stress

12. Socioeconomic Stress Professional to service or manual labor Work/study long hours Psychological impact on AAPI families Implications~ What counselors should know

13. Current Issues Counseling facilities & programs Underutilization Ethnic-specific service agencies Inequalities in services Service gaps Lack of funding/research Underutilization of services Language barriers

14. Current Issues Women & gender Students Lack of understanding regarding expectations Western cultural values Academic & social needs Group work Challenging for group worker Group work & students

15. Scenario Activity

16. Interventions & Implications for Practice~ Individual Self-awareness Seek to understand client expectations Awareness of client acculturation/enculturation Respect role of hierarchy & family Address emotions indirectly Extend counseling relationship

17. Interventions & Implications for Practice~ Professional Advocate for change Address inequalities Encourage counselor education Advocate for more culture specific research Embrace nonwestern principles Build personal relationships

18. Interventions & Implications for Practice~ Organizational Student support groups and mentors Restructure services to be more welcoming Employ bilingual counselors Adapt services to meet diverse needs (all AAPIs) Diversification of therapeutic practices (solution-focused/cognitive/goal-setting)

19. Interventions & Implications for Practice~ Societal Recognize past & current injustices �Bridge� programs Anti-poverty programs Immigrant/refugee support organizations Improve access to higher education

20. Quick Review of Scenario

21. Returning to~ 3-2-1 Bridge On the topic of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, think of: 3 words 2 questions Describe an image you see when you think of Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders

22. Questions?

23. Thank you!