Navigating the Dialectic: Following Ethical Rules Versus Culturally Appropriate Practice

摘要

Family therapists today face a dramatic increase in the cultural diversity of their clients (Sue, Arredondo, & McDavis, 1992). With this change in clientele, how do therapists deal with the dialectic between doing what they are trained to do in their profession versus doing what is culturally appropriate and potentially most beneficial for clients? When therapists navigate these difficult dialectics, several outcomes can occur based on a therapist's theoretical lens, cultural knowledge, skills, and understanding of ethics. Case examples are provided to illustrate the possibilities that might occur in therapy with families from various cultural backgrounds.