Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2019
Publication Title
Journal of Human Services
Volume
39
Issue
1
Pages
7-18
Abstract
A major aspect of cultural competence is developing critical self-reflection skills. Critical self-reflection is a culturally competent practice that positions practitioners with the ability to recognize and respond to the influence of power, privilege, and oppression within client interactions. Contributing to the existing literature on cultural competence, this article posits that teaching critical self-reflection is an essential aspect of training culturally competent practitioners. To investigate this connection, researchers qualitatively examined the retrospective accounts of 15 human services students who critically reflected on an assignment: exploring how they were personally impacted by issues of power, privilege, and oppression. Findings unveiled students’ perceptions of developing culturally competent critical self-reflection to be characterized by working through resistance, exploring personal biases, and developing empathy. Implications suggest that instructors seeking to train culturally competent human services practitioners should strategically integrate opportunities for students to work through resistance, explore their existing biases, and develop empathy.
Original Publication Citation
Tarver, S. Z., & Herring, M. (2019). Training culturally competent practitioners: Student reflections on the process. Journal of Human Services, 39(1). 7-18
Repository Citation
Tarver, Shuntay Z. and Herring, Melvin, "Training Culturally Competent Practitioners: Student Reflections On The Process" (2019). Counseling & Human Services Faculty Publications. 61.
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/chs_pubs/61
Comments
© National Organization for Human Services
Included with the written permission of the publisher.