::afiq's views on cross-cultural counseling::

First of all, I am truly sorry for being late with the post. After taking cross cultural counseling subject with Dr. Sskamanya Siraje, one thing that I really understand is cross cultural is not only about culture only but also involve other aspects of life such as gender, age, language, religion, races and so on. During counseling session, even for Malay counselor-Malay client, counselor must be aware and sensitive on dealing with his/her client. This is because the context of culture here is not the “culture”. What I mean here, culture is not embrace only races or religions between counselor-client, but in this case, the gap differences between age and the position between both of them which is teacher and student. These differences can affect and disturb the counseling session if the counselor did not know to play his/her initial roles in conducting multicultural counseling.

From what I understand in cross-cultural perspective in counseling are all individuals in many respects are; 1) Like no other individuals, 2) Like some individuals and 3) Like all other individuals. What I understand from these is not every person is the same. Each of them has different culture, belief, race, religion and so on. Means, what is good in one culture must not be the same with other culture. Counselor must be aware of this thing and make different approach and intervention that is good and suitable with client’s culture. Remember, counseling is to help, not to harm!!

To be a good counselor in multicultural counseling, one must be able to free themselves from other principle, influence and other personal things, and be neutral. There is no right and wrong in multicultural counseling. Besides, try to understand and learn from each culture in Malaysia as possible as you can. Understand, adapt and accept. Moreover, like I have mention before, try to create a different and appropriate approach and intervention to deal with multicultural client. When a counselor aware of the culture of the client, it can help the counselor to avoid from do mistake such as when dealing with sensitive issues or beliefs and religions.

AFIQ ZULKARNAIN     0815251