Examining the Effects of Cultural Humility on Counselor Trainees’ Prosociality, Heterosexual Bias, and Racial Bias
Bhakti Perez
Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation
College: The College of Health Professions and Human Services
Major: Counseling (M.A.)
Faculty Research Mentor: Mansi Brat
Abstract:
Cultural humility (CH) is a foundational principle in multicultural counseling and a critical component for mental health therapists in training. Framed as a lifelong journey of self-reflection and self-examination, cultural humility (CH) differs from cultural competence (CC) by prioritizing ongoing learning about clients' unique cultural experiences rather than simply accumulating cultural knowledge (Tervalon & Murray-Garcia, 1998). CH is an embodied stance that addresses power imbalances between therapists and clients, fostering equitable and compassionate therapeutic relationships.Ortega and Faller (2011) define CH as an approach that considers the intersectionality of individual identities, beliefs about power, lived experiences, trauma histories, and systemic resource disparities. Unlike multicultural frameworks that view culture as monolithic, cultural humility (CH) embraces a holistic approach through three key dimensions: self-awareness in shaping one's worldview, openness to understanding others' lived experiences and transcendence. This moral orientation acknowledges a greater existence beyond the self. CH is not a fixed competency but an ongoing practice and a way of being with clients (Foronda et al., 2015). Therapists trained from this approach challenge hierarchical therapeutic dynamics and the assumptions that professional expertise equates to cultural expertise. While CC emphasizes counselors' awareness, knowledge, skills, and actions in diverse settings, CH aligns with therapeutic attributes such as unconditional positive regard, fostering prosocial engagement, and reducing defensiveness in client interactions (Owen et al., 2016).The aims of this study were - (1) to assess cultural humility levels among counselor trainees enrolled in CACREP-accredited MA and PhD programs and (2) to examine correlations between cultural humility and racial bias, prosociality, & heterosexual bias among counselor trainees. Participants included adults (ages 18+) are Counselor Education students who completed anonymous questionnaires measuring the four constructs (cultural humility, prosociality, heterosexual bias, and racial bias). Data was collected via a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform using Qualtrics. The findings of this study will enhance understanding of the role of cultural humility (CH) in emerging counselor education, training, and supervision. Additionally, researchers will note findings of the relationship between CH, bias, and prosocial tendencies, providing valuable insights and implications for multicultural counseling training and practice.