Culturally Sensitive Therapy with Latino Clients Research Paper

Culturally sensitive therapy becomes a new trend in the development of contemporary counseling services because the growing cultural diversity increases the need in adaptation of counseling therapies to specific needs of clients with diverse cultural background. Today, multiculturalism increases its impact on the development of counseling services because the growing cultural diversity raises new challenges in face of therapists. The treatment of different conditions, such as the anxiety disorder, requires the delivery of effective counseling services as an essential condition of the successful recovery of patients from their health problems.

The growing cultural diversity raises the problem of discrimination of racial/ethnic minorities. Such discrimination interferes into the delivery of counseling services because therapists use therapies that have proved to be effective with regard to the mainstream cultural group. The problem of discrimination has a devastating impact on counseling therapies applied to clients with the anxiety disorder.

However, such therapies may not always be effective, when applied to minority clients, for example, Latino clients. As a result, their anxiety disorder treatment does not progress fast and positive outcomes of the treatment delay over and over again. The slow recovery of clients is the result of the failure of methods and therapies which work well, when applied to the mainstream group. The reason for such failure is the cultural difference of Latino clients, their different needs, expectations, and attitudes to counseling services, their problems and therapists.

Therefore, the effective counseling services being delivered to clients of Hispanic origin require the use of the effective multicultural approach that involves the use of counseling therapy that meets needs and specificities of Latino clients in terms of their cultural background and specific needs determined by their health issue, such as the anxiety disorder.

Literature review

The development of effective counseling therapies is essential for the treatment of many health issues which patients may suffer from, such as anxiety disorder. Such health issues are quite common that make the effective counseling therapy particularly important for their successful recovery. Behavior problems in very young children including aggression, property destruction, self-injury, hyperactivity, and noncompliance are common (Fox, Besasie, & Fung, 2017). Research has shown that 50% of children with moderate behavior problems, without intervention, will continue to have behavioral difficulties well into their school years when they are more intractable to treat (Fox, Besasie, & Fung, 2017). Consequently, early intervention is necessary, and providing evidence-based programs tailored to treat such issues in very young children is important (Fox, Besasie, & Fung, 2017). Counseling therapies can help to address behavioral problems, including anxiety disorder, before the further treatment, including medication, is needed.

Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent disorders for children and adolescents and are associated with significant short- and long-term consequences (Escovar, Hitchcock, & Chavira, 2017). Such health issues as anxiety disorders have a negative impact on the mental health of patients and their overall condition. The impact of anxiety disorder have both short-term and long-term consequences that means that, if the condition remains without treatment and counseling help, their condition will deteriorate progressively to the extent that clients may develop serious mental health problems.

Underrepresented racial/ethnic populations, such as people of Hispanic origin, face disparities in their use of behavioral health services for multiple reasons including lack of culturally competent services and stigma (Gilmer, et al., 2017).  Underrepresented racial/ethnic populations-focused programs are associated with similar improvements in health outcomes, but greater costs relative to the comparison programs performed without focus on the racial/ethnic background of clients (Gilmer, et al., 2017).

At the moment, diverse counseling therapies focus on the provision of aid to clients with anxiety disorders (Zvolensky, et al., 2015). These therapies address specific psychological problems clients with anxiety disorder have and facilitate their recovery, while a therapist leads them through to the complete recovery. However, counseling alone may be not enough for the complete and successful recovery of patients. This is why counseling therapies, especially in severe cases, complement the treatment of anxiety disorders in patients. Nevertheless, researchers (Zvolensky, et al., 2015) argue that counseling therapy is essential because it facilitates and accelerates the recovery of clients with anxiety disorders. Existing counseling therapies are quite effective but often therapies use standardized approach to their clients and conduct counseling without taking into consideration of cultural specificities of clients that may lead to the client discrimination and undermines the overall effectiveness of therapies.

At the same time, researchers (Benuto, 2016) reveal the global expansion of racism that leads to the discrimination of clients that belong to minority groups. Often, such clients suffer from the lack of effective counseling therapy because of cultural or language barriers which undermine the effectiveness of counseling therapy oriented on the mainstream culture clients (Benuto, 2016). In such a situation, Latino clients turn out to be in a disadvantageous position compared to the mainstream cultural group. The discrimination of Latino clients occurs in the context of emerging multiculturalism and the unpreparedness of therapists to meet cultural specificities of the diverse client population.

In response, to the rise of multiculturalism and the need to meet cultural specificities of clients, therapists should meet cultural needs of clients and integrate those needs into their therapy plans. S. Koslofsky and M.M.D. Rodriguez (2016) support the idea of the increased effectiveness of culturally adapted evidence-based interventions. The cultural adaptation of counseling therapy in the treatment of such conditions as anxiety disorders facilitates the recovery of clients, such as Latino clients, because their cultural background differs from the mainstream culture.

Working with the Spanish-speaking community requires awareness of the diversity of the Latino population and the cultural factors that may impact the presentation of generalized anxiety disorder (Gonzalez, 2017). J.R. Graham-LoPresti and colleagues (2017) applied successfully culturally sensitive adaptations of cognitive behavioral group therapy to treat social anxiety related to issues of discrimination among minority clients.  Discrimination of minorities, such as Hispanics, may trigger the progress of anxiety disorder.

Therapists co-construct positive experiences of cultural attunement with Mexican and Mexican-American couple clients. Analysis identified a model of cultural connection through personal engagement with four interrelated phases: (a) mutual invitation, (b) shared engagement, (c) expanding personal connection, and (d) creating cultural connections (Elias-Juarez & Knudson-Martin, 2016).

Researchers (Mattek, Harris, & Fox, 2016) conducted the study of counseling therapy that involved Latino patients and arrived to the conclusion that the interpersonal warmth is very important, and when a therapist is experienced as “cold” or distant, attrition is likely to be high. The study (Mattek, Harris, & Fox, 2016) revealed the importance of the interpersonal warmth in Latino culture, while interpersonal relations are often prior to therapist-client relationships for clients of Hispanic origin.

In an assessment, attention should be paid to the role of religion in the client’s life, as many Latinos have strong religious beliefs, and these may have a central influence on the view of mental illness as well as cure, which in turn impacts how the therapist is viewed (Mattek, Harris, & Fox, 2016). Religion affects the perception of their life and their problems for clients and therapist have to take into consideration religious views of clients. For example, they should not offend their religious beliefs.

The culturally-oriented counseling therapy for Latino clients should involve conocimiento (knowledge) encourages the therapist to draw on naturally occurring cultural etiquette for engaging and developing a relationship (Graham-LoPresti, 2017). Latino clients will view a relationship as positive in part when it has elements of being mutual and reciprocal (Graham-LoPresti, 2017). The compromiso (commitment) that develops brings expectations of mutual behavior such as “responsiveness,” respeto (respect), confianza (trust), dignidad (dignity), as well as an allowance for ample space and time (Graham-LoPresti, 2017). Researchers (Graham-LoPresti, 2017) also recommend creating a comfortable environment, facilitate rapport and communicate to Latino clients that their needs and identities would be respected.

Methodology

Literature survey and observation of Latino and mainstream cultural group clients comprise the core methods used in terms of the current study. Literature survey provides the up-to-date information on the latest findings in the field of counseling and treatment of anxiety disorders among Latino clients. The literature survey includes latest studies completed within the last couple of years. All resources are reliable since all the articles are published in peer-reviewed journals. The observation included the observation of clients of Hispanic origin in comparison to clients that belong to the mainstream cultural group. The observation revealed practical aspects of possible discrimination and effectiveness of culturally-oriented counseling therapies applied to Latino clients with the anxiety disorder.

Findings

Behavioral problems are common, especially among children. In this regard, Latino clients are particularly vulnerable to the development of anxiety disorders because of their discrimination which is the common trend because racism emerges globally, while Latino comprise the minority group susceptible to discrimination from the part of the mainstream cultural group.

The anxiety disorder is a problem that occurs frequently and affects people of different age and racial/ethnic background. The treatment of anxiety disorder is important and the earlier the problem is identified and the faster the treatment of the anxiety disorder begins the better for clients. Moreover, counseling therapies can help to suppress the development of the disease at the early stage and minimize its negative effects for the mental state of clients and their social relations.

Latino clients need a different approach to their counseling compared to the mainstream group, especially children. The recovery of clients with the anxiety disorder depends on the effectiveness of counseling therapy and the ability of therapists to meet cultural needs of clients. Often clients of the Hispanic origin face difficulties with the language proficiency and they have a different cultural background compared to therapists and the main customer group of therapists. This is why therapists fail to understand needs of their Latino clients properly and develop the counseling therapy with regard to those needs and specificities.

Discrimination processes and issues related to clients of various ethnic and cultural origins occur in the contemporary society and may have a negative impact on outcomes of counseling therapy, as is the case of Latino clients. In this regard, Latino clients often face the problem of discrimination. For example, researchers (Graham-LoPresti, 2017) refer to cases, when Latino clients have difficulties with effective communication with a therapist because of language barriers, while the use of Spanish increases the effectiveness of the therapy but not all therapists working with Latino clients are capable to use Spanish proficiently to deliver their counseling services to their clients.

In response to the discriminating environment, the racial and ethnic adaptation occurs. The experience of Latino clients reveals that they attempt to adapt to the mainstream cultural environment. For example, they try to develop their English language competence and adapt to a different cultural environment. But the enhancement of English language proficiency requires extra efforts from the part of clients which is stressful, especially, if they have already got the anxiety disorder. This is why the enhancement of language skills and overcoming cultural barriers by clients is stressful and deteriorates the overall effectiveness of counseling services.

However, the problem of such adaptation, especially in case of anxiety disorder, is that Latino clients confront even greater stress as they have to adapt to the different cultural and language environment. Instead the adaptation of therapists is more effective with regard outcomes of counseling therapy. Therefore, it is therapists, who should make the first step and help their clients to benefit from counseling therapies. Therapist can adapt their counseling therapies to specific client needs, but to meet this goal, therapists have to understand clients’ needs and specificities.

The recommended counseling therapy includes the focus on the interpersonal warmth in the course of interaction and communication of therapists with Latino clients. Interpersonal warmth helps Latino clients to grow confident in their therapist. They become aware of the reliability and supportiveness of the therapist Hence, the effectiveness of the therapist-client interaction increases.

Furthermore, knowledge, commitment and mutual respect are essential for gaining the Latino clients’ confidence and the effective counseling therapy. As clients grow more confident in their therapists and in the overall effectiveness of the therapy, the effectiveness of the therapy increases because clients become more cooperative and certain in success of their treatment.

The comfortable environment and respect to needs and identities of Latino clients increases the effectiveness of counseling therapy in the treatment of anxiety disorders. The comfortable environment helps clients to relax and feel good during the therapy. In such a way, the therapist can achieve therapeutic goals and provide counseling services for the client successfully. The client receives counseling services and learns to cope with anxiety disorder successfully too.

Discussion

The problem of the ineffectiveness of counseling therapy that involves Latino clients is not only the result of the poor quality of counseling methodology and ineffectiveness of therapy used. Instead, this is the broader problem of racial and ethnic discrimination which has become the global problem. Therapists treat Latino clients on the common ground and apply the same methods and therapy to their counseling as they do apply in relation to representatives of the mainstream culture. As a result, they do not take into consideration cultural differences and specificities of the Latino population.

The current study has revealed that Latino clients belong to underrepresented racial/ethnic populations and they need a different approach based on respect to their cultural differences from the mainstream group or the majority of clients therapists deal with. Counseling therapy has to meet their needs and specificities. Otherwise, the effectiveness of counseling therapy will be compromised because clients will face cultural barriers that may aggravate their condition, while efforts to overcome those barriers will create extra stressful environment for them that will deteriorate their anxiety disorder condition.

Interpersonal warmth is one of the essential conditions of the effective treatment of anxiety disorder and counseling therapy. Latino clients rely heavily on interpersonal relations, which are more important for them than professional relations between the therapist and the client. This is why therapists should use am ice-breaking strategy to establish warm, positive interpersonal relations which can pave the way to the successful recovery of clients and adoption of effective coping strategies to suppress their anxiety disorder.

Respect to the religious background of Latino clients is of the paramount importance because many of them are very religious. Therapists can take advantage of the religious background because they may integrate religious concepts and ideas into the counseling therapy they apply to their Latino clients. For example, religion may help Latino clients to cope with their problems successfully and therapists can use religion to enhance the effectiveness of their counseling therapy. Religion may have a therapeutic effect on clients, especially if they are believers.

Mutual respect is another major concern of therapists working with Latino clients, if clients have the anxiety disorder. Mutual respect is one of the milestones of Hispanic culture and clients feel the need of respect from the part of therapists because they will become more confident in therapists. Also clients feel more relaxed, when they are aware of the respect from the part of their therapist. Anyway, therapists should meet needs and respect identities of their Latino clients.

Conclusion

Thus, the effective delivery of counseling therapies to Latino clients, who suffer from the anxiety disorder, requires meeting needs and cultural specificities of clients. The current study has revealed the emerging discrimination of minority clients, such as Latino clients, because therapists fail to take into consideration cultural specificities of Latino clients and apply conventional methods of counseling. However, counseling therapies that are effective, when applied to clients that belong to the mainstream cultural group, are not always effective, when applied to Latino clients. The latter have different needs and experience problems, which therapists have to address with regard to the specific cultural background of clients.

The current study revealed the development of culturally-oriented counseling therapy that meet needs and specificities of Latino clients. Therapists should take into consideration multiple factors, while developing the therapy for counseling of client of Hispanic origin. Interpersonal warmth is one of the essential elements of counseling therapy that involves the treatment of Latino clients. Interpersonal warmth helps a therapist to establish the positive contact and relationships with clients and increase the awareness of clients in their therapists. Respect to the religious background of Latino clients is also important for counseling Latino clients because many of them are religious and religion plays an important part in their life. The creation of the atmosphere of the mutual respect is another condition of effective counseling therapy to help to rehabilitate Latino clients from the anxiety disorder and similar health issues. Therapists should be able to meet needs and respect identities of their Latino clients. This is why therapists should study the cultural background of their clients and meet their needs. As therapists manifest their respect to clients, clients provide the positive feedback and become more cooperative that increases the overall effectiveness of counseling therapy.

References:

Benuto, L. (2016). Contemporary issues in psychology. In C. Frisby & W. T. O’Donohue (Eds.), Handbook of Cultural Sensitivity. New York, NY: Springer Press.

Elias-Juarez, M. and Knudson-Martin, C. (2017). Cultural Attunement in Therapy With Mexican-Heritage Couples: A Grounded Theory Analysis of Client and Therapist Experience, Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 43(1), 100-114.

Escovar, E. L., Hitchcock, C., and Chavira, D. A. (2017). Treatment considerations and tools for treating Latino children with anxiety. In L. Benuto & B. D. Leany (Eds.), Toolkit for Counseling Spanish-speaking clients. New York, NY: Springer Press.

Fox, R.A., Besasie, L.A., and Fung, M.P. (2017). Tools for Treating Behavior Problems in Young Latino Children. In: Benuto L. (eds) Toolkit for Counseling Spanish-Speaking Clients. Springer, Cham

Gilmer, T., et al. (2017). Health Outcomes and Costs Associated with the Provision of Culturally Competent Services for Underrepresented Ethnic Populations with Severe Mental Illness,  Adm Policy Ment Health, 44, 782. 

Gonzalez, F.R. (2017). Tools for Treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder Among Latinos, Toolkit for Counseling Spanish-Speaking Clients, Springer, Cham, 7-38.

Graham-LoPresti, J.R., et al. (2017). Culturally Sensitive Adaptations to Evidence-Based Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder: A Case Paper, Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 24(4), 459-471.

Koslofsky, S. and Rodriguez, M.M.D. (2017). Cultural adaptations to psychotherapy: Real-world applications, Clinical Case Studies, 16(1), 3-8.

Mattek, R. J., Harris, S. E., & Fox, R. A. (2016). Predicting treatment success in child and parent therapy among families in poverty, The Journal of Genetic Psychology, 177(2), 44–54.

Zvolensky, M. J., et al. (2015). Anxiety sensitivity and subjective social status in relation to anxiety and depressive symptoms and disorders among Latinos in primary care, Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 32, 38–45.

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

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"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.

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freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].
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[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

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"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 28, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

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