Duo Baleh Contribution as the Ethical Foundation of Culture-Based Counseling: The Contribution of Minangkabau Local Wisdom to Global Mental Health Practices

Abstract

The dominance of Western psychotherapeutic paradigms, which are secular and individualistic in nature, often encounters cultural barriers when applied to non-Western societies. This epistemological gap necessitates the development of a more inclusive counseling ethics framework rooted in local wisdom. In contrast to previous studies that tend to position Sumbang Duo Baleh (SDB) merely as local curriculum content in schools or as customary norms limited to prohibitions, the novelty of this research lies in its effort to conceptually translate SDB values into the microclinical ethical constructs of professional counseling practice. This study aims to formulate a culturally grounded counseling ethics framework through a synthesis of literature from seven recent studies. The findings indicate that SDB possesses a comprehensive psychological architecture, encompassing cognitive, affective, and psychomotor aspects that align with self-regulation mechanisms in modern therapy. Summing Kato, Tanyo, and Jawab are translated as assessment techniques and cognitive empathy; Summon Duduak, Caliak, and Bapakaian are formulated as body language ethics to build a therapeutic alliance; while Sumbang Bagaua and Karajo are positioned as principles of professional boundaries and counselor competence. This integration is further supported by the alignment of SDB with the values of Raso Pareso (self-reflection/muhasabah) and the concept of Hayā' (positive modesty) in Islamic counseling. Therefore, this equocultural framework offers a contextual ethical guideline for Indonesian counselors in addressing global mental health challenges without losing their cultural identity.