Developing Effective Cross-Cultural Counseling Practices for Counselors Working Outside Their Home Regions: A Study on Non-Local Counseling Teachers in Bireuen

Abstrak

School guidance and counseling services require sensitivity to the cultural context, especially in areas with strong local values such as Bireuen District, Aceh. Non-local counseling teachers often experience difficulties due to differences in language, values, and perceptions of counseling, which have an impact on the effectiveness of services. This study aims to explore the culturally responsive counseling practices of non-local counseling teachers, the adaptation strategies used, and the challenges they face. This research is a qualitative study with a phenomenological approach. The participants were six non-local counseling teachers from outside Aceh Province who have been assigned to public schools (Junior/Senior High School) in Bireuen District for at least one year. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, non-participatory observations, and documentation studies. Data analysis was conducted using a thematic approach based on Braun & Clarke's model, supported by triangulation, member checking, and audit trail techniques to maintain data validity. The findings revealed four main themes: cultural challenges in counseling, cultural adaptation strategies, culturally responsive counseling practices, and cross-role collaboration. The counseling teachers used religious approaches, local value-based communication, as well as establishing social relationships to encourage student acceptance. Counseling grounded in cultural sensitivity is particularly important in areas with robust cultural identities. It is important to provide counselors with multicultural competency training and educational policies that support their work across cultures.