Despite several decades of theoretical support and empirical validation concerning Multicultural Counseling Competence (MCC), the mental health field has been criticized for a lack of measurable constructs that embody multicultural counseling skills (Sanchez-Hucles & Jones, 2005; Weinrach & Thomas, 1998). In an effort to contribute to the knowledge and understanding of observable multicultural counseling interventions, web-based survey research was used to examine the relationship between the counselor’s broaching behavior and multicultural counseling competence in a sample of middle school counselors. Broaching has been conceptualized as a measurable multicultural counseling skill and refers to a counselor’s effort to initiate and process discussions of race, ethnicity, and culture in the counseling relationship (Day-Vines, et al., 2007). Results revealed a statistically significant relationship between broaching and multicultural counseling competence. Most notably, advanced attitudes toward broaching as conceptualized in the broaching construct are predictive of multicultural counseling competence. Additionally, the relationship between broaching skills and MCC seems to indicate that even rudimentary attempts at broaching may also be predictive of multicultural counseling competence. Equally as important, the study supported the conclusion that avoiding discussions of race, ethnicity, and culture has a negative impact on the counseling relationship. Results need to be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size (N = 65) and the continued validation of the Broaching Attitudes and Behavior Scale. / Ph. D.

Counselor educators foster the multicultural counseling competence of counselors-in-training; however, counselor educators face challenges that include emotionally charged exchanges that may might impact counselor educators' relationship with students. The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to investigate counselor educators' experiences with emotionally charged exchanges related to teaching multicultural counseling. The ecological systems theory was used as a conceptual framework. A purposeful sample of 4 counselor educators from Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs-accredited counselor education programs in the United States shared their knowledge of these emotionally charged exchanges through semistructured phone interviews in their natural settings. The data gathered underwent analysis following the descriptive phenomenological method, and revealed the essence of counselor educators' lived experiences: ever-present conflicting emotions and tension, with peaks of feeling exposed, inadequate, and satisfied after intentionally evoking students' emotions. Counselor educators can use the results of this study to alter their pedagogy and empower their students to develop their multicultural counseling competence more fully. Improved multicultural counseling competence might improve the treatment provided to a diverse range of clients and reduce treatment disparities.

xvii, 169 p. : ill. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / The development, maintenance, and integration of multicultural competence into all aspects of psychologists' work is critical to ethical practice in an increasingly diverse society. Measurement of multicultural competency is critical to investigating the development of multicultural competence and the effectiveness of multicultural competency training. However, existing measures of multicultural competence are limited in scope and are not congruent with the conceptualization of multicultural competence as a lifelong process. The purpose of this dissertation study was to address the limitations of existing instrumentation through development and initial validation of the Multicultural Competence Change Scale (MCCS). The MCCS assesses the development of multicultural competence from a "stages of change" perspective. The stages of change model provides a framework for assessing subtle cognitive, emotional, and behavioral modifications indicative of change. Participants included 221 counseling, clinical, and school psychology graduate students. An exploratory factor analysis and the generalized graded unfolding model were used to establish the MCCS factor structure. The MCCS was found to have a five factor structure, with each factor representing one of the stages of change. Internal consistency reliabilities for the MCCS subscales ranged from .64 - .74. Estimates of validity were obtained by examining relationships between the MCCS and other measures, such as the Multicultural Awareness, Knowledge, and Skills Survey, Counselor Edition, Revised (MAKSS-CE-R). The MCCS Precontemplation, Contemplation, and Preparation subscales were significantly and negatively correlated with the MAKSS-CE-R, and the Action and Maintenance subscales were significantly and positively correlated with the MAKSS-CE-R. Examination of the sensitivity of the MCCS to respondent variability revealed that psychology trainees' who participated in a greater number of diversity-related trainings, who currently participate in diversity-related research, and who are members of underrepresented groups based on ethnicity, sexual orientation, and ability were more likely to be in either the action or maintenance stage of change. The MCCS provides a novel approach to multicultural competence assessment; however, it is still in the initial stages of development and additional items are needed to strengthen the factor structure and psychometric properties of the instrument. / Committee in charge: Ellen McWhirter, Chairperson, Counseling Psychology and Human Services; Paul Yovanoff, Member, Educational Methodology, Policy, and Leadership; Krista Chronister, Member, Counseling Psychology and Human Services; Michael Hames-Garcia, Outside Member, Ethnic Studies

This study examined the influence of multicultural training, multicultural discussions in supervision, and the supervisory working alliance on multicultural counseling competence. The sample consisted of 57 doctoral counseling interns, doctoral graduate students and post-doctoral students in counseling and clinical psychology. Participants completed several instruments including a demographic questionnaire, the Supervisory Working Alliance Inventory - Trainee, and the Multicultural Counseling Inventory. They filled out two questionnaires created for this study, one assessing multicultural discussions in supervision and another quantifying their multicultural training experience. Data analyses included multiple hierarchical regression, utilizing the Hayes PROCESS macro. Multicultural discussions in supervision moderated the relationship between the supervisory working alliance and multicultural counseling competence, but did not significantly moderate the relationship between multicultural training and multicultural counseling competence. Findings suggest that when multicultural discussions in supervision are positive, they significantly increases the strength of the relationship between good supervisory working alliance and multicultural counseling competence in psychology trainees. The findings may inform supervision practices and improve multicultural counseling competence in psychology graduate student trainees.

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