MULTICULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR DIVERSE POPULATIONS

This chapter addresses the importance of recognizing the vast cultural identities with which human services clients can identify, including but not limited to race and ethnicity. Issues concerning women, LGBTQ+ individuals, Indigenous populations, and religion, among others, are presented. Initial steps in pursuing cultural sensitivity and cultural humility include understanding the systems within which our clients develop, implications of the Culture Funnel, and our own biases as human services practitioners. Relevant activities and exercises are provided to encourage self-reflection, rapport-building, and problem-solving for issues related to culture with clients and colleagues. Intersectionality theory is used to explain compounded hardships among marginalized groups. Concepts such as antiracism and privilege are also discussed.