Multicultural Counseling Competency of Counselors in Turkey

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to measure the multicultural counseling competency of counselors in Turkey. The multicultural counseling competency of Turkish counselors studied based on whether participants have or have not completed a multicultural counseling course. In addition, the study examined whether or not there was a relationship between extent of contact with culturally different clients and multicultural counseling competency. The participants were recruited through professional contacts who provided the names and e-mail addresses of counselors in Turkey. In addition, list-serves were used which had counselors' names and e-mail addresses that are used by Turkish counselors for sharing information about the field and helping each other in terms of professional issues. Ninety-seven counselors in Turkey who currently work in private practice, in the K-12 school systems, and in universities, and who have at least a bachelor degree or higher in a Turkish counseling program participated in the study. The data were gathered through a two-part questionnaire. The first part of the questionnaire addressed demographic questions asking about gender, ethnicity, religion, multicultural counseling training, age, years of experience in counseling, and extent of contact with culturally different clients. The second part of the questionnaire was the Multicultural Counseling Inventory (MCI). Results from the statistical analysis showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the overall MCI scores for counselors based on whether or not they have completed a multicultural counseling course. Regarding the MCI subscales, there was a statistically significant difference in the MCI subscales: skills, awareness, and knowledge. There was not a statistically significant difference in the MCI relationship subscale for counselors based on whether or not they have completed a multicultural counseling course. Lastly, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between extent of contact with culturally different clients and multicultural counseling competency. The findings of the study indicated that completing a multicultural counseling course enhances the multicultural counseling competency of counselors.