The Application of Multicultural Counseling to Help Mental Health Problems During the Covid-19 Pandemic in Malaysia

Abstract

This paper discusses the application of multicultural counseling to help mental health problems of individuals affected by the covid-19 pandemic.  To address the issue of counseling involving multicultural clients, counselors need to examine many matters related to multicultural aspects for the counseling sessions to run smoothly. Therefore, there are eight aspects of the importance of multicultural counseling that have been discussed in this concept paper and can be used as a guide by counselors during the session. Among the interests is the establishment of effective communication, building trust relationships between counselors and clients, enhancing the seriousness and understanding of values, unconditional positive acceptance, enhancing empathy, integrating the application of counseling theory, avoiding culture encapsulation, and increasing the self-efficacy of counselors. In addition, challenges and constraints are also discussed which are the challenges faced by counselors and clients. Many suggestions have been set out in this concept paper that counselors need to enhance their knowledge, experience, and exploration of the culture and differences of the surrounding society so that appropriate skills, theories, and approaches can be applied in counseling sessions.