Take any one of the theorists that you have studied during this module (Freud OR Rogers) and critically evaluate their account of how change happens for a client during the therapeutic process including their attention to cultural/social factors. What does the research tell us about the effectiveness of this approach? (Please note there are three aspects to this assignment – critically evaluation the theorist account of change; their attention to cultural and social factors and what the research says about the effectiveness of the approach. It is really important that you cover the three aspects of your assignment.)

The sociocultural perspective looks at you, your behaviors, and your symptoms in the context of your culture and background. For example, José is an 18-year-old Hispanic male from a traditional family. José comes to treatment because of depression. During the intake session, he reveals that he is gay and is nervous about telling his family. He also discloses that he is concerned because his religious background has taught him that homosexuality is wrong. How does his religious and cultural background affect him? How might his cultural background affect how his family reacts if José were to tell them he is gay?

As our society becomes increasingly multiethnic and multiracial, mental health professionals must develop cultural competence (Figure 1), which means they must understand and address issues of race, culture, and ethnicity. They must also develop strategies to effectively address the needs of various populations for which Eurocentric therapies have limited application (Sue, 2004). For example, a counselor whose treatment focuses on individual decision making may be ineffective at helping a Chinese client with a collectivist approach to problem solving (Sue, 2004).