Similarity and Difference in Multicultural Counseling:

Similarity and difference have been explored within the counseling psychology and the social psychology literature. The counseling psychology literature has studied the influence of similarity and difference on clients' preferences for counselors. The theory driven social psychology literature has investigated the influence of similarity and difference on subsequent relationship development. Whereas the counseling research has examined similarity and difference within the context of counseling, social psychology research has examined similarity and difference within the context of co-workers, roommates, and acquaintances. Unfortunately, there has been little dialogue between these 2 parallel areas of investigation. This manuscript is an attempt then to provide a bridge between the counseling and social psychological literature. It is hoped that this selected review will provide an integrated approach from which to examine future research questions related to the impact of similarity and difference on the counseling process.

Mental health issues of muslim americans

The underpinning of all research leading to various schools of thought in the field of psychiatry and psychology is without doubt a product of Western professionals who represent the religio-cultural traditions, historical symbols, and narratives of Western society. Also, the major schools of psychotherapy emerged during an era of individualism and logical positivism reflecting the religious, ethical, and cultural heritage that has shaped the modern Western society. Consequently, the methods and techniques developed in the West may not be always suitable and effective for Muslim Americans. To respond to the growing needs of psychiatric problems encountered by Muslim Americans, many community social service centers have been established in the United States during the past two decades. We now have a growing body of research data suggesting how to tailor our field to the specific needs of this population. We will discuss what kind of emotional and psychiatric problems are most prevalent in Muslim Americans and explain the therapeutic approaches mental health professionals have used and the treatment strategies which have been found effective in the psychosocial rehabilitation of Muslim Americans.

Ethnic Matching Between Therapist and Patient in Psychotherapy: An Overview of Findings, Together With Methodological and Conceptual Issues

This article reviews the empirical support for ethnic matching between therapist and patient in psychotherapy. The research has 3 sources: analog studies, archival studies of number of attended sessions and dropout rates, and process-outcome studies of psychotherapy. Clinical trials studying ethnic matching are absent. Empirical support for ethnic matching suffers from low validity and is inconclusive, with few studies of actual psychotherapy. The research is hampered by poor conceptualization of key concepts, difficulties in forming ethnically homogeneous groups for comparisons, and an abundance of uncontrolled within-group variables. Therapist variables, for example cultural sensitivity, are rarely investigated. There is a need for large-scale psychotherapy studies with well-defined key concepts in which the impacts of within-group and therapist variables are investigated.