Problem:
Imagine that you are counsellor working for the counselling service of a hospital. A new client, Sum, has been referred to you. Sum is a 47-year-old woman who has been diagnosed with cervical cancer. While her doctors have recommended a radiation therapy treatment, Sum wishes pursue a traditional medicine treatment approach rather than what she views as the 'harsh poisons' of Western medicine. Sum identifies quite strongly with her Chinese identity and has continued with her traditional cultural practices after migrating to Australia fifteen years ago. During your first session, Sum tells you that some of the hospital staff have been quite rude to her and belittled her beliefs in traditional medicine and that she is concerned that you will also try to convince her to change her treatment approach.
As Sum's counsellor, you want to ensure that you enable a culturally and psychologically safe counselling environment for Sum, however, you know very little about traditional Chinese cultural beliefs and you are concerned that you may inadvertently say or do something that could harm the therapeutic relationship.
What strategies would you employ as Sum's counsellor to ensure that you demonstrate a respect for, and sensitivity to, her culture during all of your communications and work with Sum?