Lubuguin, F. / Published 2010 / Article
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Citation: Lugbuguin, F. (2010). Teaching culturally competent psychotherapy: A Descriptive Psychology approach. In K. E. Davis, F. Lubuguin, & W. Schwartz (Eds.), Advances in Descriptive Psychology: Vol.9. (pp. 41-85). Ann Arbor, MI: Descriptive Psychology Press.
Abstract: Providing training in cultural competence is an established and accepted professional standard in graduate programs in clinical psychology, but the implementation of this standard varies significantly in its methodology and effectiveness. This paper applies key relevant concepts and methodologies from the intellectual discipline of Descriptive Psychology (DP) to this meaningful pedagogical endeavor. It is based on courses actually taught by the author, and is not merely a proposed training model. DP concepts and perspectives were used to explicate the foundational notions related to cultural competence per se. Subsequently, particular DP concepts and strategies were employed to enhance the instructional methods for advancing culturally competent awareness, knowledge, and skills. These examples illustrate the compelling power and advantages of applying DP as a conceptual framework instead of as a theoretical orientation, particularly in multicultural psychology, to limit cultural insensitivity and ethnocentrism.