BTG Fall 2018

Starts at intake Cultural competency starts at the intake desk, when a client enters treatment, according to Poole. At intake, if a counselor is having difficulty understanding a client’s language, “What do I do, as a counselor? Turn away, bite the bullet and deal with it, or learn more about their culture? I choose the third option,” she explains. Learning to see past cultural differences is important for any counselor to be able to “reach” and help clients, Poole notes. Language differences may initially make it more difficult to communicate and understand a client, but counselors learn early in their careers to overcome those. (Step N2 offers interpretation services when necessary). Communication difficulties can be frustrating, but it’s important for the counselor not to show frustration, Poole adds. Building a rapport with the client is essential to be effective. Cultural differences can manifest themselves in the attitudes of clients and counselors. A cultural difference may sometimes impede a client’s willingness to trust and share information with those whose job it is to help them, Poole says. Another thing the counselor needs to remember is that, because of language or other differences, “They also may not understand me,” she says. Being aware of negative stereotypes, which are often based on false beliefs about a given group of people, is also important. “For example, someone may think that all drug addicts are thieves and liars, based on what somebody said,” rather than striving to see each person as an individual, Poole points out. Part of that process is finding out each client’s personal strengths, so those can be used to help him or her recover.

“They are all addicted to a substance. Addiction doesn’t have a culture; it destroys

cultures.” – Rhonda Poole

Treatment programs like Step N2 need to be open to anyone who needs addiction treatment, Poole notes. So, when a client is going through intake, it’s important not to let a difference in language or some other cultural aspect stand in the way. Counselors “have to learn patience,” she says, in assessing each client’s needs and understanding their cultures. Regardless of racial, cultural or other differences, the clients who seek help at Step N2 Recovery all have at least one thing in common, Poole says: “They have all misused alcohol or some other substance. Addiction doesn’t have a culture; it destroys cultures.” 49