Understanding Culture in the 21st Century: Implications for Counseling & Psychotherapy

Culture governs a group's way of life that is passed from one generation to the next. It shapes what people make, think, value, and do to ensure their existence. It influences what we think is appropriate, what we eat, drink, wear, what we believe and much more. Culture is simple yet complex. It is static yet dynamic. Each generation acts upon it, causing modifications, even though the basic components such as language, religious practices, and system of government usually resist significant change. Like a river, culture has many sources [1,2]. Given the dynamic nature of culture, this article discusses an interpretation and reinterpretation of culture as the world moves into a modern era of globalization where cross-cultural exchanges are the norm. This paradigm shift creates a host of new challenges for organizations and mental health professionals as they seek to find new strategies to effectively address a new globalized world where self-expression, individualism and a re-invigorated awareness of interpersonal connection is upon us. This article seeks to address these issues and provide some strategies for effective cross-cultural awareness and mental health counseling.