Examining Self-Awareness and Perceived Multicultural Competency: Recommendations for Practitioners and Educators

The extent to which counselor trainees acquire multicultural competency throughout their training has not yet been determined (Chao, 2012). There exists consistent recommendations in the literature for development of self-awareness among counselors (Fauth & Williams, 2005). The foundation of multicultural competency acquisition is derived in one’s personal self-awareness (Sue, Arredondo, & McDavis, 1992). However, the nature of self-awareness as a construct that informs multicultural competency is absent in the research literature. This study examined the self-reported multicultural competency and self-awareness of 65 counselors-in-training (CITs) using the Multicultural Counseling Inventory (MCI) and Self Conscious Scale Revised (SCS-R). The study results indicated that CITs perceived themselves to possess a greater multicultural competency upon completing a multicultural training course. However, there was no difference in perceived competency based on credit hours completed or practical experience. CITs of color rated their ability to develop relationships with diverse clients higher than White CITs. Regarding self- awareness, CITs who reported dispositions toward self-rumination held a consistent negative correlation across all areas of multicultural competency. Recommendations for educators and future research are included.