Summary
We have reviewed the problems in counseling or psychotherapy posed by cultural differences. Few if any solutions to these problems have been proposed. It has been the general conclusion that theories and methods of psychotherapy developed in Western culture are not applicable in other cultures.
This view is rejected on the basis that there are universals of human nature, a basic one being the common motive of self-actualization. The goal of counseling or psychotherapy is to facilitate the development of self-actualization in clients. Cultures can be evaluated in terms of their contribution to the self-actualization of their members. The major conditions for the development of self-actualizing persons are known, and must be present in counseling or psychotherapy as practiced with any client, regardless of his culture. These conditions are not time-bound nor culture-bound. The problems of practicing counseling or psychotherapy in other cultures are viewed as problems of implementing these conditions. Certain characteristics of clients which present obstacles to the implementation of the conditions are associated with certain cultures. Until cultural changes lead to changes in these characteristics, counseling or psychotherapy will be difficult and in some cases impossible with certain clients from certain cultures. Structuring and client education and training may change client expectations and make therapy possible. In any case, however, to accede to client expectations, abandoning methods which have been demonstrated to be related to self-actualization as an outcome of counseling or psychotherapy, is to abandon self-actualization as the goal, and to accept goals which are often inconsistent with self-actualization.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Carkhuff, R. R.: Helping and Human Relations. Vols. I and II. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1969.
Carkhuff, R. R. and Berenson, B. G.: Beyond Counseling and Therapy. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1967.
Combs, A. W. and Snygg, D.: Individual Behavior, 2nd ed. New York: Harper and Row, 1959.
Frank, J. D. Persuasion and Healing: A Comparative Study of Psychotherapy. Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press, 1961.
Goldstein, A. P.: Structured Learning Therapy: Toward a Psychotherapy for the Poor. New York: Wiley, 1973.
Halleck, S.: The Politics of Therapy. New York: Science House, 1971.
Jourard, S.: The Transparent Self. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1964.
Lee, H.: To Kill a Mockingbird. New York: Popular Library, 1962.
Maslow, A. H. Self-actualizing people: A study of psychological growth. In C. E., Moustakas (Ed.). The Self: Explorations in Personal Growth. New York: Harper and Row, 1956.
Maslow, A. H.: Synergy in society and the individual. Journal of Individual Psychology, 1964, 20, 153–164. Also in Maslow, A. H.: The Farther Reaches of Human Nature. New York: Viking, 1971. Pp. 199–211.
Maslow, A. H.: Ouestions for the normative psychologist. In Maslow, A. H.: The Farther Reaches of Human Nature. New York: Viking, 1971. Pp. 212–225.
Patterson, C. H. Beyond competence: Self-actualization as an integrating concept. The Counseling Psychologist, 1974, 4 (4), 82–86. (a)
Patterson, C. H.: Relationship Counseling and Psychotherapy. New York: Harper & Row, 1974. (b)
Pedersen, P.: The field of intercultural counseling. In P., Pedersen, W. J., Lonner and J. G., Draguns (Eds.) Counseling Across Cultures. Honolulu, Hawaii; The University Press of Hawaii, 1976. Pp. 17–41.
Pedersen, J., Lonner, W. J., Lonner and J. G., Draguns (Eds.) Counseling Across Cultures. Honolulu, Hawaii; The University Press of Hawaii, 1976.
Rogers, C. R.: Client-Centered Therapy. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1951.
Stewart, E. C.: Cultural sensitivity in counseling. In P., Pedersen, W. J., Lonner and J. G., Draguns (Eds.), Counseling Across Cultures. Honolulu Hawaii: The University Press of Hawaii, 1976. Pp. 98–122.
Sullivan, H. S.: Conceptions of Modern Psychiatry. Washington, D. C.: William Alanson White Psychiatric Foundation, 1947.
Truax, C. B.: Effective ingredients of psychotherapy. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 1963, 10, 256–263.
Truax, C. B., and Carkhuff, R. R.: Toward Effective Counseling and Psychotherapy. Chicago: Aldine, 1967.
Weaver, W.: Confessions of a scientist-humanist: Saturday Review, May 28, 1966.
Wohl, J.: Intercultural psychotherapy: Issues, quespions, and reflections. In P., Pederson, W. J., Lonner and J. G., Draguns (Eds.) Counseling Across Cultures. Honolulu, Hawaii: The University Press of Hawaii, 1976. Pp. 184–207.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Patterson, C.H. Cross-cultural or intercultural counseling or psychotherapy. Int J Adv Counselling 1, 231–247 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00120547
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00120547