Article Review

Vasquez (2007) provides an evidence-based analysis of how practicing psychologists
may be unintentionally interfering with the establishment and development of healthy
working relationships with clients who are culturally different and thus hinder effective
multicultural psychotherapy and counselling. Therapeutic effectiveness largely relies on the
development of a therapeutic alliance. The author states that clients of color tend to
underutilize counseling and psychotherapy services. They report high rates of dropping out of
treatment, especially when paired with a therapist who is culturally different from them
Vasquez, M. J. T. (2007). Race and ethnicity are constructed in such a way that everyone
experiences unintentional biases, which may result in oppressive, discriminatory behaviors as
well as other microaggressions. The field of psychotherapy is also affected, and
psychotherapists must be aware of their biases and work on acquiring knowledge and skills
on how to work with people of different cultures. Awareness of attitudes is the most
important strategy to reducing bias. The author states that psychotherapists can change their
neural pathways, which are wired and developed through bias and negative stereotypes. By
so doing, they will establish a therapeutic alliance with their clients, demonstrate cultural
empathy, stay attuned to the needs of different clients and be respectful and open to different
worldviews.
The article has implications for multicultural counsellors. First, they should
acknowledge that they too can have unintentional bias, which will negatively affect the
development of therapeutic alliance with the clients. They, therefore, should be conscious of
their own bias about this, especially when working with culturally different clients. The aim
is to practice cultural apathy and have an open worldview so that the client’s needs are met
regardless of their race or ethnicity. A multicultural counselor is culturally sensitive and uses

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a variety of interventions and strategies that put into account all the diverse and unique needs
of a client. Thus, multicultural competence and awareness are necessary when dealing with a
largely diverse pool of clients.
The author conducts a review of work done by other scholars on the issue of culture
and how it affects the effectiveness or lack of it in the practice of psychotherapists. In the
article, various views and findings of different researchers have been included. For instance,
the author quotes works done by Wampold (2000), who said that psychological treatment
makes more sense when a psychotherapist allows a patient to select the treatment that they
want depending on what works for them (Vasquez, 2007). The researcher is opposed to
imposing treatments on a client in total disregard of their culture, values, and attitudes simply
because the treatment is recommended by healthcare organizations.
The author draws from different works in compiling a lengthy and comprehensive
paper on factors that can hinder the development of a therapeutic alliance. The inclusion of
other related studies has helped capture different viewpoints on the topic. The author has
relied on extensive research in writing the article. For example, after sampling different
studies, the authors confidently conclude that most clients of color are more comfortable
when they are paired or matched with therapists of color (Vasquez, 2007). Studies have
shown that these clients remain in treatment for longer periods. The case is different for
clients who are not matched with therapists who are linguistically or ethnically similar to
them. In some instances, it is not possible to match clients and therapists. Even when they are
matched, the development of a healthy alliance is not guaranteed.
Further, the author organizes the content well and in a systematic way. The author
provides pertinent information in the abstract. The abstract clearly reflects a summary of the
paper. The introduction captures the attention and interest of the reader. The article starts by

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acknowledging other aspects of life that are affected by bias and then introducing the
relationship between counsellors and clients and how this too can be affected by bias. The
article then flows as the author provides evidence and information to support the facts
presented. The paper is largely on similar studies conducted in the past. The citations salient
to the literature that has been reviewed are well included in the paper. On the other hand, the
integration of many studies by different authors affects the coherence of the article. In some
instances, the opinion of the author is overshadowed by the many articles cited, making the
paper appear like a collection of studies on therapeutic alliance and relationships.
Overall, the article adequately addresses issues related to the topic. It is an easy to
understand article because the author makes use of clear statements. The integration of
various studies makes it possible to compile a detailed article that is rich in content. Also, the
author acknowledges dissenting views from different scholars and takes a stand depending on
the side that has more empirical evidence supporting it. This ensures that the reader
understands the existence of differing opinions on the issue, and it is easy to see which side
has been preferred by researchers and the reasons for that. The paper is generally well
written. The sentences and paragraphs are logically organized. The article has quotations,
citations and a list of references, all well used and appropriately identified.

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References

Vasquez, M. J. T. (2007). Cultural difference and the therapeutic alliance: An evidence-based
analysis. American Psychologist, 62(8), 878-885. Retrieved
from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=url,cookie,i
p,uid&db=pdh&AN=2007-16827-042