Los Angeles Community-Based Associate Social Workers' Understanding of Culture and Therapy

Los Angeles Community-Based Associate Social Workers’ Understanding of Culture and Therapy by Christine Cearfoss Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human and Social Services Walden University February 2019 Abstract Social workers have no clear professional guidelines about the application of culturally competent mental health service delivery. Without culturally competent mental health service delivery, clients from diverse cultures do not access needed mental health services and they experience less effective therapy treatment outcomes and overall disparity of service delivery throughout the therapeutic process. The purpose of this descriptive case study was to better understand how community-based social workers are delivering culturally competent services to clients. The theoretical framework for the study was multiculturalism and the primary research questions addressed how associate clinical social workers who provide in-home mental health services in Los Angeles deliver culturally competent services to their clients. Through 8 interviews with associate clinical social workers, this descriptive case study revealed that without clear direction on what culturally competent services are, or how to deliver them, social workers are using a combination of personal experience and personal culture, educational and practice knowledge, and in some cases no attention to culture, to meet the mental health needs of their clients. This study emphasized the need for an industry wide understanding of the term cultural competency, so it could serve as the frame of reference by which practice professional skill level could be assessed, practice protocols measured, and could lead to social change through greater access to counseling services for clients.Social workers have no clear professional guidelines about the application of culturally competent mental health service delivery. Without culturally competent mental health service delivery, clients from diverse cultures do not access needed mental health services and they experience less effective therapy treatment outcomes and overall disparity of service delivery throughout the therapeutic process. The purpose of this descriptive case study was to better understand how community-based social workers are delivering culturally competent services to clients. The theoretical framework for the study was multiculturalism and the primary research questions addressed how associate clinical social workers who provide in-home mental health services in Los Angeles deliver culturally competent services to their clients. Through 8 interviews with associate clinical social workers, this descriptive case study revealed that without clear direction on what culturally competent services are, or how to deliver them, social workers are using a combination of personal experience and personal culture, educational and practice knowledge, and in some cases no attention to culture, to meet the mental health needs of their clients. This study emphasized the need for an industry wide understanding of the term cultural competency, so it could serve as the frame of reference by which practice professional skill level could be assessed, practice protocols measured, and could lead to social change through greater access to counseling services for clients. Los Angeles Community-Based Associate Social Workers’ Understanding of Culture and Therapy by Christine Cearfoss MA, California State University 2004 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human and Social Services Walden University February 2019 Dedication Completion of a journey of this magnitude would not have been possible without a tribe. First, I thank all of the amazing clients of Conscious Living Counseling Center who have supported my efforts, asked about my studies, partnered with me in setting goals and working towards them, and encouraging me when times were tough. Your support has meant so much to me in this process and I look forward to continuing to celebrate your successes as you meet your goals. Second, I thank my mother who helped me work though Chapter 5 when I just could not find my words. I also thank my soulmate and best friend Janet for your unwavering support, especially at times when I needed your keen computer skills. Thank you for sitting next to me in 8 grade and for being by my side ever since. Finally, to my DadYou always make me feel like I can accomplish anything. We did it!