Which statement best describes an etic approach in counseling?

Which statement best describes an etic approach in counseling?

• A. Using general interventions with clients from diverse backgrounds
• B. Tailoring interventions to each client's cultural background
• C. Avoiding cross-cultural comparisons
• D. Focusing on the counselor's own culture

Answer: (A)

Etic approaches emphasize universal strategies that can be applied across cultures, rather than tailoring therapy to a specific client's cultural background. Using general interventions with clients from diverse backgrounds fits this idea because the techniques are designed to be broadly applicable, not customized to one culture. Tailoring interventions to each client's cultural background reflects an emic approach—focusing on culture-specific understanding and adaptation. Focusing on the counselor's own culture would be ethnocentric and not about applying universal methods. Avoiding cross-cultural comparisons isn’t the defining feature of an etic stance; the key point is the use of general, cross-cultural techniques.

Etic approaches emphasize universal strategies that can be applied across cultures, rather than tailoring therapy to a specific client's cultural background. Using general interventions with clients from diverse backgrounds fits this idea because the techniques are designed to be broadly applicable, not customized to one culture.

Tailoring interventions to each client's cultural background reflects an emic approach—focusing on culture-specific understanding and adaptation. Focusing on the counselor's own culture would be ethnocentric and not about applying universal methods. Avoiding cross-cultural comparisons isn’t the defining feature of an etic stance; the key point is the use of general, cross-cultural techniques.