Cultural Differences in Counseling: Western vs. Non-Western Approaches

This essay delves into the contrasting perspectives and practices of counseling in Western and non-Western countries. It highlights the differing perceptions of counseling services, with Western countries often viewing it as a crucial resource for problem-solving and mental well-being, while non-Western countries may have varying levels of acceptance. The research explores the historical roots of counseling, from ancient times to the development of modern therapeutic approaches, including psychoanalysis and various schools of thought. The study raises critical questions about cultural considerations in counseling, focusing on the need to bridge the gap between Western and non-Western approaches to enhance accessibility and effectiveness. The methodology involves an explorative research approach, gathering both primary and secondary data to understand the nuances of counseling practices and their impact on individuals and communities.

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There is different perscriptions regarding counselling service between Western
countries and non-western countries
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, the I can change. “
Carl R. Rogers
The aim of this research
Counsel means to advise a person professionally, to help in solving their problems, and
counseling, is a process in which counselor has a face to face talk with the person to help,
counsel in their queries or advice and help them to improve attitude and behavior (Fjeldsoe,
2009). Miller describes that while psychological theories does apply to various instances but
there is lot of analyses that goes on to studying the relevant differences among various
theories. He devised the client theory of change where a lot of importance was given to
realise and meet needs realted to clients (Miller, 2009). Counseling is a service which is
offered to an individual who is suffering from problems and needs professional help.
Counseling services are given all over the world with their different and systematic approach
(Aguilera, 2007). Counseling also depends on the habitat, like in western countries
counseling is given differently as compared to nonwestern countries. There is different
perception also regarding the counseling service between western and nonwestern countries
(Denzin, 2008). In nonwestern countries counseling is not considered as important for
problem solving therapy or process, they thought counselor cannot attend specifc needs of
their problems, whereas in western countries most of the people take counselor’s help and
advice when they are in stress or in problem cause they thought counselor would help
accordingly with their problems and give the solution. They use counseling services when
needed and take for the counselor’s help in problems. (Annink, 2017)
Eastern counseling and western counseling both have same approaches towards the
clients because both the counseling method concentrates on relieving the person from
difficulties and make people feel good by helping them. But both eastern and western

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counseling also has a different approach in some points. J.G. Draguns (2013) in his article
identifies the difference in approach amongst cross counselling and psychotherapies. He
identified that counselling and psychotherapties were more historically and culturally
significant rather than following a common paradigm (Draguns, 2013).
A logical approach in the field of counseling method and culture focus on the
methodology of western and no western counselor. The aim is to find out the differences and
the reason why people believe in counseling more often in western countries as compared to
people living in nonwestern countries. With this research, we would be able to learn about the
basic differences between both the psychologies. The aims of counseling are vast. They
might base on the circumstances, the nature, and on the training. The fundamental motive of
counseling are as following: (Caretta, 2014)
To help promote an accurate and deep understanding of the origins and foundation of
emotional difficulties, enabling to get rational supretendence over the feelings and acts.
Second is to change behavior. Another is to serve the client to go on side of fulfilling their
potential or get an assimilation of dsiputed elements within themselves. (Carrera-Fer
\nández, Guàrdia-Olmos & Peró-Cebollero, 2012)
The research question
The study will aim at attending several research questions of which the central being,
How can we close the gap between counseling of western countries and nonwestern
countries?
Other areas for considerations are;
 What are the key consideration when participants look for counsellors?
 How to they make their choices regarding counsellors?
 What ways does a counsellor differs from another?
 Have any participants noted any relavnt disctinctions amongst counsellors from Easter
countries as against Western countries or they pertain to specific styles of
counselling?
These various concepts will be explored in depth through the following open-ended
questions:

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 What thoughts come to your mind when thinking about a counsellor?
 What aspects are most critical to you in regards to determining selection criteria for
counsellor?
 Does it really matter knowing the religious or cultural background of a counsellor?
Prior to starting to question my participants regarding the study, there is an important
question that needs to be addressed to the participants.
“What is your purpose of visiting a counsellor?”
The background to the research
Normally, Western approaches mainly concentrate on psychopathology and do not
give so importance toward a medical model of comforting symptoms, eastern approaches
mainly concentrate on achieving and prospering best human development by leading an
honorable life (Bassot, 2017). Such culturally variant counseling needs were further
identified in cross cultural studies related to immigrant counseling. Fred Hanna, a professor at
the University of Northern Colorado, says Western approaches focus or gives importance
towards correction and lightening feelings and symptoms. In contrast, Eastern approaches are
more focused at probation and “setting people free so that they can identify their feelings and
can control their thoughts” (Bimrose & Mulvey, 2015)
According to certified yoga therapist, Del Vecchio-Scully, Emotional problems or
emotional breakdowns do not consider as a body related problems in traditional western
counseling approach. Whereas basic Eastern thought that everything that occurs in the body
affects the mind and emotions and everything that happens emotionally affects the body. She
finds that eastern thought is to connect mind-body and whereas western thought is to separate
or distinguish between mind and body. Yoga, Ayurveda, tie chi, etc. approaches focus on
using the natural healing and recovery system of the body and restore the balance.Whereas
western thought includes a medical approach called ‘quick fix.’ (Blyth, 2012)
Another therapist Hamrick, a member of ACA says, there is a difference in focus of
control too, in a wide sense. Counseling services are given all over the world with their
different and systematic approach. Counseling also depends on the habitat, like in western
countries counseling is given differently as compared to nonwestern countries. There is

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different perception also regarding the counseling service between western and eastern
countries (Noor, 2008). In Eastern countries counseling is not considered as important for
problem solving therapy or process, they thought counselor can’t help them with their
problems, whereas in western countries most of the people take counselor’s help and advice
when they are in stress or in problem cause they thought counselor would help accordingly
with their problems and give the solution. In most of the Eastern approaches, it is supposed
that , by giving attention towards themselves and the atmosphere and environment around
them, people will fix themselves (Gallagher, 2009). However, this approach is a broad
generalisation and cannot be accepted in specific situations.
In the Western approach, that control considered to be located externally, only with the
merging and application of right technique can fix the client. Mainly the aim of the study is to
understand the difference in these counseling processes and signify that counseling is
important and nonwestern countries should also be aware of this process and avail the
benefits of the counseling process (Bowden, 2010). Counseling history started back from
tribal times when people used to come together and discuss their problems, experiences. In
ancient times people discuss their problems with each other and try to solve the problems by
sharing experiences, etc. As civilization formed, priests of different religion start counseling
by advising parishioners on their problems. The people go to the priest of their religion and
discuss their problem for getting the solution of their problems, and they still follow the same
(Bassot, 2017).
Neurologist Sigmund Freud from Germany in 1890 developed the theory called
psychoanalysis, which allow humans or person to share their problems with a psychoanalyst.
Freud played an important role in the history of counseling, but counseling word comes out
into the language in 1960’s. Counseling starts professionally after the second world war, most
of the therapies that we followed today’s originally arise from the therapist of 1960’s (Young
Kaelber & Schwartz, 2014). Actually the counseling took off later on the second world war,
in 1950’s America. The word school on the counseling doesnot mean as the building or the
campus but actually it means how the psychologists should believe upon the human beings
for developing their views of the world in which they live (Ritchie, 2013). The three schools
are Psychoanalytical, behaviorist, and Humanistic, counseling developed after 1950’s. A
many systematic investigations are performed and this has given us a clear view of what
makes a person to think and act in specific ways. But most of the counselors still think that
we have to go a long way to understand a person cause all the humans are unique. (Daly,
2013)

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Rationale for the study
Counseling, in constrast design and with subsequent actions, had occured in communities
for a long period. Counselling had now established as part often official organization. For
example, in schools, an efficient psychological support conditions are provided to students
and staff. As counselling has several application across various life domains, this study will
determine whether it is necessary to match cultures while attempting for counselling
(Silverman, 2016). The dispute and ideas in today’s counseling had their roots in the
communal and historical forces that had carved in contemporary culture. People had
practiced sentimental or psychological extreme anxiety, sorrow, & behavioral problems. In
every culture, there had well-organized ways & procedure of helping persons with their
problems (Hunt, 2011). Some importance or significance of counselling are in decision
making constructs- The psychological problems of young ones can be seen as decision
making problems. Conflict- helps in solving the conflict and improve decision-making.
Assertions- Behaviour is a result of the assumptions, beliefs, and attitude. Disconfirmations-
the effects of behavior following decision are feedback to the person perceived and the
confirm or disconfirm things. Tension- when assertions are disconfirmed, results in tension.
Redundancy- Tenisons inhibits the capacity of a person to rethink his assertions and attempt
to confirm them, and thus they cause redundant behavior (Lees, 2012). The school, colleges,
and offices in western countries already have the facility of counseling, but in eastern
countries, counseling needs to be introduced in these fields. There is very urgent need of
strengthening the counseling services in offices, schools and career counseling also need to
be introduced in eastern countries as well.
Need of counselling in schools is for overall development of the student. With
counselling students can be motivated and they will have the clarification of their goals.
Counselling is needed to help students to choose the course, to help them with proper choice
of carvers and it is also needed for vocational development of the student. Counseling is
needed to motivate the students for self employment, to help them establish their proper
identity, to develop readiness for choices, and to make them confident to face new
challenges. It also reduces the mismatching of courses chosen by the student and employment
taken. . (Bassot, 2017)

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The methodological approach
The primary aim for any scholar is to ascertain his research methodology such that he
can attain goals and objectives for his research. There are various types of research
methodologies amongst which can be adopted, for the purpose of this study explorative
research methodology has been selected (Bryman, Social research methods., 2015). In this
research methodlogy, the scholar aims at undearthing various information pertaining to
various information and data from sources that is related to the study. For attending to apply
research processes an inductive method is followed which ascertain logical flow of
information from one theory or concept to another. In order that research goals are attended,
scholar needs to collect various relevant data in regards to the research which can be primary
or secondary in nature (Creswell J. , 2013).
Primary research is a first hand research, where one that a person undertakes and
present by interviewing people of different culture and profession, by observation or by
questionnaire method. This is the method used in primary research and useful to gain
information. Another method is secondary research, which is not first hand research and
makes use of secondary information and data. In this research which is done by others; data
and findings are already available. It is also known as desk research because this research can
be conducted by means of referring to journals, books, case studies, websites and official
statistics, company magazines and so on (Lees, 2012).
Data obtained for the purpose of research can either be qualitative or quantitative in
nature. Quantitative analysis, is the analysis that outgrowth statistics, it is premediated to be
the most technical method and is used to assess, consider, ask- how many & how often, so
quantitative research basically about mathematical and quantity values that can be put on
chart and graph for research. While doing this kind of research, the researcher has to define
what is going to be measured. But this methodology is not adopted in this case of counseling
(McLeod & McLeod, 2014). Qualitative research aims to look beyond quantitative research
like how often, how many, and how much. Instead, it concerns itself with opinions, feelings,
experiences, asking why and meanings. These things cannot be put into a chart or graphs or
cannot be measured; it depends and gained by people personal experiences of something,
that’s why qualitative research in really important in the field of counseling. Hence,
qualitative research is more preferable in case of counseling (Cohen, 2013). Qualitative
research is not restricted to any specific data or theory; it’s very flexible so the assessive
question can be asked for this method and it in more powerful method than quantitative,

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solving the problem by asking questions, by emotions by feeling in much more powerful and
relevant than making a chart or collecting data. (Neto, Baptista & Dent-Brown, 2014)
Qualitative research method or Qualitative data is all about the information on user
characteristics, needs, wishes, routines, and other information that is necessary for
counseling. Thus, qualitative research method is favorable in the field of counseling
(Rautalinko, 2013). Primary data collection according to set research questions has been
adopted for this study. Data has been collected by means of questionnaire, observation and
survey techniques. Participants before starting qualitative research, the counselor should
know who is going to be counseled and who needs counseling, for example- most of the time
people or a student searching for a job needs counseling, emotionally depressed person or
some time employees, working staff also need counseling to solve their problems (Best,
2016). Participant observer is the term that is used in qualitative analysis. This term
apprehends the idea of being part of the study and involvement with the contestents. The
benefit of close observation is provided by the Active or continuous involvement with
participants. By communicating with participants and forming relationships with them, give a
chance or opportunity to collect and learn information that could not be accessed otherwise
(Popping, 2012). The study has resorted to using qualitative data from primary sources.
Participants of age group 15 years to 30 years will be resorted to for collecting data. Each
particpants will be provided a set of questions as included in research questions and then
relevant feedback obtained will be analysed.
In qualitative research, data collections involves two methods or processes, first is
interviews and another one is observation (Robinson, 2011). Data collection in western
counseling have a systematic approach in which the client is made to feel comfortable,
counselor have to be very good listener, and they should ask appropriate question making the
client feel more comfortable.where as data collection in nonwestern countries is difficult
because participants are less, and those who go for counselling does not want to share their
personal or problems clearly to the counselor. Interviews must be conducted in favorable
conditions in which participants are more comfortable to share about their lives and problems
(Smith, 2012).
Observations will also be one of the crucial procedure adopted for the study and will
be self-observations (Creswell J. W., 2017). That is why because it is necessary for analysed
to be informed of their own basis and their cons that they put into any new circumstances and
their acknowledgment to these circumstances by observing how someone reacts or reaction
to a new circumstances, could help one should go of assumption of concept and enter into a

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process of exploration. Self-observations which includes the observations of the person
reactions, emotions, and behaviour (Liamputtong, 2013). They could involve new concept
and questions which might help in the counseling process. They can also be used for making
new questions. Observation allows the researcher to aggregate less visible data. The
observer’s tool is a journal in which one records everything which is applicatory and crucial
to the research questions. The question to ask oneself is simply “What do I feel?”
Observations involve all of the senses (McLeod & McLeod, 2014). The document is a term
that refers to materialistic things such as journals, diaries, memos, video clips, photographs,
manuals, instructions, case records, etc. Which can be added n could be used as the additional
extra information to supplement observations and interviews (Robinson, 2011).
Upon completion of data collection is completed, a journal of observations,
transcriptions of interviews, and, in some cases, documents or copies of documents are
generated (Popping, 2012). Thus, the scholar will adopt two proceses for data collection
questionnaire that will be furnished and other will be observation method. Participants will be
divided in groups where one group will be exposed to questionnaire whereas other group will
be catered to observation (Bimrose & Mulvey, 2015).
Ethical Issues
A western therapist's primary responsibility is to his patient. But the family is viewed
as a single unit in family therapy, along with the person who is suffering many other family
members are involved. It becomes difficult for the therapist to decide how to proceed with the
counseling. But many times eastern counselors involve the family and make family as a
center around which the therapy revolves. The prime importance that should be given to the
patient is shared among the family members. (Šulavíková, 2012)
Western therapists, many times, are exposed to the problems regarding confidentiality
because the identified client is usually more than one person. Western Therapists, at the
beginning of the therapy, tell all about the right to confidentiality and assure them that the
therapist may not share with other family members any information an individual family
member might share in private. To avoid this, the therapist might decide whether to discuss
with family members or not. Eastern therapist, on the other hand, suggests such methods to
the patient that can be easily observed by the family members and make it very easy for
family members to make it out that a particular person is going under therapy session.
Nowadays the suicide cases are increasing because of the lack of counseling, counseling

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session for some cases need to be private because if it is discussed by the family or relatives
patient could feel uncomfortable or may attempt suicide. (Neuman, 1997).
Informed consent is another important ethical dilemma for family, suggests psychologist
Elisabeth Shaw in an article for the Australian Psychological Society. The first call for help to
a therapist comes from a family member, who may try to involve other family member into
this.Shaw points out that this may affect treatment as he unwillingly involves the other family
member and they don’t want to be the part of this therapy. Communication between the
therapist and members of the family also affects the therapy. Since the therapist can only use
one family member as a point of contact outside of office hours for various quires and
information for smooth functioning of therapy. (Syed, Baluch, Duffy & Verma, 2012)
When a therapist deals with the patient, it is no always possible to be within the
professional boundaries. Sometimes, issues regarding a therapist's personal values and beliefs
may present an ethical, albeit subconscious, dilemma, according to Margolin. This becomes
more rigid, especially when a therapist has strong ideas about issues that commonly affect
families, such as divorce, separation and child-rearing methods. Therapists should practice to
maintain space and does not show any interference in such circumstances and advise the
patient the decision they will take is only their own decision. The Code of Ethics of the
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy also advises therapists to search
professional assistance for problems that might affect or impair their clinical judgment.
(Šulavíková, 2012)
It can be said that counseling is different in both eastern and western countries in terms of
approaches, but it is necessary for both the countries, In the western countries the
confidentiality of the patient in maintaining by the therapist involving the family member is
optional. A therapist may involve a family member for smooth functioning of the therapy,
whereas, in the case of eastern therapies, such treatments are suggested to the patient which is
vivid and practicing them may involve the family members and other member of the society
unwillingly.
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