Therapeutic Counseling and the Importance of Cultural Safety in Nursing

This article discusses the importance of therapeutic counseling and cultural safety in nursing. It emphasizes the role of self-awareness and adapting communication styles in building a therapeutic relationship with patients. The article also highlights the significance of considering cultural background, linguistic barriers, education level, socioeconomic background, employment status, and dynamics of social relationships while building a therapeutic relationship with patients.

Running head: NURSING
Nursing
Name of student:
Name of university:
Author note:

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Therapeutic counseling, usually carried out over one to three session, aims to establish,
on a provisional manner, the concern of the patient that needs assistance of the therapist. Such
sessions are followed by setting up of principles and goals of a potential therapy that can enhance
the chances of suitable patient outcomes. The focus of therapeutic counseling is on establishing
an effective relationship with the client that can promote delivery of instructions (Kornhaber et
al. 2016).
In my opinion, cultural safety and the acceptance of diversity requires effective
relationship established through mutual respect, clear communication and suitable understanding
of expectations. As a professional, I believe in establishing an environment that is in support of
the cultural preferences of the clients. My own culture has helped in molding the individual I am
since a positive influence has been imposed on my outlook towards cultural sensitivity. I locate
myself within the marginalized group in the society. This construction of me has a deep impact
on my practice. Being faced with discrimination and prejudice, I realize that healthcare
professionals must eliminate all forms of discrimination and prejudice while counseling patients
from diverse backgrounds.
The therapeutic use of self refers to the healthcare provider’s utilization of varied verbal
and nonverbal communication, modes of emotional exchange and different aspects of his
personality, for establishing an effective relationship with the client for promotion of healing and
recovery. One can know that the same has been acquired when the therapist puts in conscious
efforts for optimizing the interactions with clients. Therapeutic use of self can be improved by
planning and critically analyzing insights, perceptions and judgments of the individual that can
guide the comprehensive therapeutic process (Koloroutis 2014).

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It is important to adapt communication style as per the age of the patient. While
communicating with a five year old, it is important to act in a highly friendly and warm manner
so that the child feels that he is presented with a safe and secured environment. While
communicating with a nine year old it is also important to act in a friendly and warm manner;
however, focus can be more given to carry out a deeper assessment of the person. While
communicating with a person of 15 years age, attention is to be given to sensitive issues faced by
teenagers. A more affirmative approach would be required while communicating with one of 25
years age. While communicating with a 45 year old it is necessary to address the person with
more respect, and avoid discrimination. Lastly, while communicating with a75 years old it is
necessary to consider the cultural beliefs and values of the individual. Apart from age, other
aspects that are to be considered when building a therapeutic relationship with a person are the
cultural background of the person, the linguistic barriers, education level, socioeconomic
background, employment status and dynamics of social relationships (Moules 2014).
The term self-awareness refers to “cerebral exercise of introspection”. The process
involves exploration of the own feelings, beliefs, traits, motivations, thoughts, behaviors and
values. It is about understanding how one perceives about own self and how actions are guided
by key influences. Self-awareness is of prime importance in therapeutic relationships for
enabling therapeutic healing and recovery. Professionals can use self-awareness for guiding
behavior in a positive manner which ultimately helps in promotion of interpersonal relationship
with the patients (Rashid 2018).

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References
Koloroutis, M. 2014. The therapeutic use of self: developing three capacities for a more mindful
practice. Creat Nurse., [online] 20(0), pp.77-85. Available at:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25000734 [Accessed 26 Jul. 2018].
Kornhaber, R., Walsh, K., Duff, J., and Walker, K. 2016. Enhancing adult therapeutic
interpersonal relationships in the acute health care setting: an integrative review. Journal of
Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 9, pp. 537–546.
Moules, J. 2014. Psychosocial Nursing Care: A guide to nursing the whole person. McGraw
Hill.
Rasheed, S. 2018. Self-Awareness as a Therapeutic Tool for Nurse/Client Relationship.
International Journal of Caring Sciences, 8(1), pp.211-214.