Dinamika Konseling Lintas Budaya di Kota Padang: Studi tentang Pengaruh Perbedaan Budaya antara Konselor dan Klien

Abstract

This study aims to determine the extent to which cultural differences between counselors and clients influence the counseling process and outcomes. The background of this research is based on the reality of society in West Sumatra, particularly in urban areas such as Padang City, which is characterized by multiculturalism. The diversity of ethnicities, languages, and cultural values such as the Minangkabau as the local ethnic group, alongside Chinese, Indian, Mentawai, and other ethnic communities creates complex social dynamics in interpersonal interactions, including within the counseling context. Differences in value systems and cultural perspectives often become challenges for counselors in building professional, empathic, and effective helping relationships. This study employed a descriptive qualitative approach, using interviews with five Guidance and Counseling practitioners who have experience in providing counseling services to clients from various cultural backgrounds. The findings reveal that cultural differences affect how clients express emotions, perceive problems, and set expectations toward the counseling process. However, counselors who possess multicultural competence including empathy, respect for diversity, and understanding of clients’ sociocultural contexts are able to establish harmonious, open, and productive counseling relationships. In conclusion, the success of cross-cultural counseling in West Sumatra highly depends on the counselor’s cultural sensitivity and their ability to adapt counseling approaches to local values rooted in the Minangkabau philosophy, “adat basandi syarak, syarak basandi Kitabullah” (customs based on religion, religion based on the Holy Qur’an). In an increasingly diverse modern society, mastering multicultural counseling competencies has become an essential skill for counselors to maintain the meaningfulness and effectiveness of counseling services.