Cultural Autobiography Slides
Cultural Autobiography: A Reflective Journey in Counseling Identity
Presenter
Emma Storm
CNL 509
Instructor
Catherine Troop
May 13, 2026
Verbal Communication: Directness and Context
- Low-Context Communication
- Individualistic Linguistic Style ("I" statements)
- Emphasis on Explicit Meaning
- Standard American English (SAE) Dominance
(Sue et al., 2022)
Non-Verbal Communication: Space and Presence
- Direct Eye Contact as Honesty
- Proxemics and Personal Space
- Formal Gestures (Firm Handshakes)
- Kinesics: Upright Posture and Minimal Touch
"Proxemics reveals a preference for social-consultative distance in professional settings."
— Based on Edward T. Hall
(Hall, 1976) (Sue et al., 2022)
Cultural Pride: Resilience and Individual Agency
Core Strengths
Fostering a sense of optimism and a drive for personal and communal innovation.
- Emphasis on Personal Resilience
- Democratic Values and Social Mobility
- Tradition of "The Self-Made Individual"
- Optimism and the "Can-Do" Spirit
(Grand Canyon University, 2022)
Cultural Growth: Addressing Stoicism and Isolation
Area of Focus
Hyper-Individualism vs. Community
The "Bootstraps" Mentality
Emotional Stoicism
Barriers to Wellness
Delayed Help-Seeking Behaviors
Professional Identity
Over-Reliance on Professional Titles
(Grand Canyon University, 2022) (Sue et al., 2022)
External Perceptions: Privilege and Uniformity
The "Lack of Culture" Stereotype
Assumptions of a missing heritage or total homogeneity.
Assumptions of Universal Privilege
Ignoring diverse socioeconomic and family histories.
"Emotionally Distant" Label
Misinterpreting low-context communication styles.
Misconceptions
(Grand Canyon University, 2022) (Sue et al., 2022)
Internal Biases: Judging Non-Western Norms
Internalized Norms
- Bias Toward "Professionalism"
- Judgment of Collectivist "Dependency"
Societal Expectations
- Stigma: Non-Linear Career Paths
- The "Laziness" Myth for Rest
(Grand Canyon University, 2022) (Sue et al., 2022)
Cultural Views on Substance Use
01
Normalization
Social drinking as a cultural lubricant and the "functioning" addict myth.
02
Stigma
Moral vs. medical views on addiction; deep-seated stigma of illicit drugs.
Counselor Focus
Compassion over Judgment
(Grand Canyon University, 2022), (Clauss-Ehlers et al., 2019)
Cultural Perceptions of Counseling
From "Crazy" Stigma to Coaching
Generational Acceptance Shifts
Privacy and "Dirty Laundry"
Western "Talk Therapy" Bias
(Grand Canyon University, 2022) (Sue et al., 2022)
Intra-Cultural Counseling: Shared Worldviews
Opportunities
Shared linguistic cues and understanding of cultural pressures.
Risks
Over-identification and potential countertransference.
GCU Disposition
Compassion & Reflection
Constant questioning to see the student as an individual rather than a mirror.
(Grand Canyon University, 2022) (Sue et al., 2022)
Cross-Cultural Counseling: Advocacy and Humility
The Learner Stance
Adopting cultural humility as a foundation for effective support.
Systemic Advocacy
Challenging inequities and supporting diverse student backgrounds.
Adaptive Techniques
Moving toward collectivist models and family involvement.
Equity in Action
Judging progress based on student standards, not Western norms.
(Ratts et al., 2016)
References
Clauss-Ehlers, C. S., Chiriboga, D. A., Hunter, S. J., Roysircar, G., & Tummala-Narra, P. (2019). APA Multicultural Guidelines executive summary: Ecological approach to context, identity, and intersectionality. American Psychologist, 74(2), 232–244. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000382
Grand Canyon University. (2022). SC professional dispositions of learners. gcu.edu. https://aws-files.gcu.edu/ssc/chss/SC%20Professional%20Dispositions%20of%20Learners.pdf
Hall, E. T. (1976). Rhythm and Body Movement. In Beyond Culture (pp. 71–84). Anchor Books.
Ratts, M. J., Singh, A. A., Nassar‐McMillan, S., Butler, S. K., & McCullough, J. R. (2016). Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies: Guidelines for the counseling profession. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 44(1), 28–48. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmcd.12035
Sue, D. W., Sue, D., Neville, H. A., & Smith, L. (2022). Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and practice. Wiley.
