Cross-Cultural Issues in Counselling Skills Training: Lessons from Lesotho

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Periodical article

Title:	Cross-Cultural Issues in Counselling Skills Training: Lessons from Lesotho
Author:	Gilbert, Jane
Year:	2002
Periodical:	Journal of Social Development in Africa (ISSN 1012-1080)
Volume:	17
Issue:	1
Period:	January
Pages:	123-135
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs.
Geographic terms:	Lesotho Southern Africa
Subjects:	adult education psychotherapy Health and Nutrition Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) sociology Counseling Training Cultural environment Skills development
Abstract:	This article provides an account of problems that may be encountered in training programmes imported from the North to the South. The author's experiences as a facilitator at a workshop for counselling skills training for Sotho mental health professionals in Lesotho have led her to believe that such training, dependent as it is on certain theories of the 'self', may not be wholly generalizable or useful to Third World practitioners in the field. Different cultures may hold very different theories of 'selfhood' and training that is not sensitive to such differences may prove more of a hindrance than a help. A sensitive approach to the concepts embedded in local languages, to styles of physical interaction and forms of etiquette may help to bridge the gap between the concepts imported and the concepts and practices on the ground. Above all, such training workshops must proceed on the basis of total respect for the local culture and for local practices and practitioners. Bibliogr., sum.