Multicultural Environments of Academic Versus Internship Training Programs: Lessons to Be Learned
✍ Scribed by Heather J. Peters; Angela J. Krumm; Rufus R. Gonzales; Kensa K. Gunter; Karen N. Paez; Sharon D. Zygowicz; Kristee L. Haggins
- Publisher
- American Counseling Association
- Year
- 2011
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 120 KB
- Volume
- 39
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0883-8534
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
Psychology training programs have a responsibility to train multiculturally competent psychologists. Predoctoral interns were surveyed to compare the multicultural environment of academic and internship programs. Internship programs were perceived as more multicultural than were academic programs. Factors contributing to differences are examined, and suggestions are made for improving multicultural environments in training.
Los programas de formación en psicología tienen la responsabilidad de formar psicólogos competentes multiculturalmente. Se entrevistó a interinos predoctorales para comparar el ambiente multicultural de sus programas académicos y de interinidad. Se percibió que los programas de interinidad eran más multiculturales que los programas académicos. Se examinan los factores que contribuyen a estas diferencias, y se ofrecen sugerencias para mejorar los ambientes multiculturales en la formación.
M
ulticultural researchers have outlined three areas related to multicultural competencies: beliefs/attitudes, knowledge, and skills (Sue et al., 1982). This seminal work was later updated, suggesting the importance of the counselor's own cultural values and biases, the client's worldview, and culturally appropriate intervention strategies (Arredondo et al., 1996;Sue, Arredondo, & McDavis, 1992). Multicultural competency plays an integral role in providing effective services for clients. For instance, client attrition, utilization, and satisfaction rates are influenced by a therapist's multicultural competency (e.g., Constantine, 2001;Lefley & Bestman, 1991). According to Sue and Sue (1999), "one of the major reasons for therapeutic ineffectiveness with clients of color lies in the training of mental health professionals" (p. 11). Research has clearly indicated that training programs should include a strong focus on increasing multicultural competencies (Roysircar, Arredondo, Fuertes, Ponterotto, & Toporek, 2003).