Discussion Cultural

Book https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:1a9c0524-fde8-4430-b3d2-6de127857855 Counseling Diverse Populations Discussion Board: Intersections of Identities Sue, Sue, Neville, & Smith (2019) trace the development of Racial, Ethnic, Cultural Identity Attitude models from the work of early researchers in the 1970’s to current day. The authors discuss the development of these models in ways that moved away from pathology and toward greater inclusivity. Author’s posit the R/CID model as a culmination of this development stating that this model serves as “a conceptual framework or heuristic to aid therapists in understanding their REC diverse clients’ attitudes and behaviors” (p. 238). Other authors including Anders, Kivilighan, Porter, Lee, Owen (2020), bring our consideration of identity and the process of identifying to a perhaps more complex level. Discussing the work of Kimberle Crenshaw in the area of intersectionality, authors state that, “the ultimate purpose of intersectionality theory and research is to dismantle systems of power and oppression and barriers to justice by addressing how those who hold multiple marginalized identities are uniquely discriminated against” (p. 140). This concept brings to our awareness that we each hold multiple identity statuses that cross and overlap in different ways through the act of identifying. In order to complete this discussion, review the assigned readings from the text and on Canvas. Reflect on REC identity models reviewed in Module 4 and the concept of intersectionality from Module 5, and how these models and concepts contribute to multicultural competency in counseling. Respond to the following questions in your main post. 1. What examples of racial, ethnic, cultural identity development do you recognize from your personal experiences and/or observations? What are your personal intersections of identity? 2. What implications do REC models and the concept of intersectionality hold for counseling and the counseling relationship? 3. As counseling professionals, how does these implications shape our understanding of multicultural competence? In addition to your main post, you must post two responses to others in your group. Initial posts are due by the end of the day on the Thursday prior to the final deadline. Response posts are due by the final deadline as indicated for each forum. See the course calendar for more details. Late posts will receive zero points. Points will be deducted in the event that the posting guidelines are not met. A note about posting: Postings should provide personal reactions or responses to the questions or issues being posed. In order to fulfill this requirement, postings must be substantive and reflective. For example, posting a response such as “I agree” or “Good point” is fine, but is not substantive enough to fulfill the requirement of the discussion. Post #1 should provide the students response the question or issue being posed. Posts #2 and #3 should be a response to or an extension of an existing post. Responses to existing posts must be delivered in a professional manner and be respectful of differing views and opinions regarding the topic at hand. Within these parameters, these types of responses may affirm or refute the ideas being posited on the forum. In the spirit of scholarship within a community of learners, postings should extend and expand the thoughts and ideas present in the existing discourse. The discussion forum will be monitored and moderated by the instructor. Students are encouraged to remain engaged and involved in the discussion beyond the required three posts. 1 James Fiel Examples for me of racial, ethnic, and cultural identity development that I recognize from my personal experiences and observations are in the black community. I know my ability to get ahead is far more complex than some of my other ethnic friends, being that some companies look at me and with all my accolades and resume fitting all the criteria and not being selected for specific jobs or being told I’m too overqualified, or being followed around the store, asked to show ID to enter the store. Everyone else around me was not invited. With education, my high school was a failing school, and I went to 3 high schools, and all were deemed failing schools or high poverty. I was denied admission to several institutions and accepted into an HBCU, where I excelled. Then, I was accepted into a white public institution after graduating with a 3.9 GPA and top of my class. So, all my examples are personal, but I have peers who have been convicted wrongfully for crimes, and I have had family killed due to racial profiling. My intersections of identity are a multiracial male who is a Christian that’s a dad, son, uncle, etc. The Implications of REC models and the concept of intersectionality hold for counseling and the counseling relationship Awareness of intersectionality may help provide clinicians a lens through which to improve our understanding of each patient’s unique story and the potential impact on patients who experience a more marginalized sense of identity. Social constructs (i.e., gender, race, and ethnicity) impact individuals psychologically. Intersectionality shows us that social identities work on multiple levels, resulting in unique experiences, opportunities, and barriers for each person. For me, a counseling professional and the implications that shaped my understanding of multicultural competence would be, first and foremost, a counselor should realize that my worldview and personal experiences differ from the client in front of me. The client may have different perspectives and approaches to navigating their daily lives. Also, directions to the treatment cannot be rooted simply in my own biases, which renders my services ineffective and potentially damaging. Understanding multicultural competence would allow me to be culturally competent as a counselor. In turn, it will help me be most effective and allow me to suspend judgment. allowing me to open myself up and step aside from my worldviews to become a more vital ally to the client building a more authentic trusting relationship. It takes scream honesty and self-reflection to truly understand where I differ from each client and how those differences could impact my ability to provide excellent services. Someone who makes assumptions will also hurt a client, so increasing your self-awareness helps you know when you would not be the best fit to work with the client. It is imperative to avoid referrals whenever possible, but in the same breath, being true to yourself and seeking service from others while you are in the 2 client’s best interest will better fit the counseling relationship I would have with any client. Leon o What examples of racial, ethnic, cultural identity development do you recognize from your personal experiences and/or observations? What are your personal intersections of identity? Throughout my life, I have been fortunate to not only live in multiple places across the U.S. both in lower and middle socioeconomic environments and live and travel in many different countries, which have given me valuable exposure to several different experiences with multiple cultural populations. I have been in situations where I was a minority within the environment and others that I was not. I have seen how different classes of populations intersect, where some are provided more favor, benefits, and opportunities than other groups from personal, institutional, and political interactions. What I learned was any group or population can and most likely face some sort of situation where they are the minority, which in several cases could involve being exposed to being discriminated, marginalized, or even hated. For example, as a military member who traveled and worked in many different countries, depending on where we were, we (the Americans) we most certainly the minority and in certain places extremely hated and even treated very poorly (and this is in addition to combat environments). So, as we take this class, I reflect on situations like that, and then try to consider in addition to being an American, what it must have been like to also deal with or worry about other cultural concerns, such as being an African American or Latino in a country where not only Americans are hated, but people of color are as well. So, based on these types of experiences I have had coupled with the education and training I have received, I feel I have a good grasp on the expectations and responsibilities I will have as a multicultural counselor. 2. What implications do REC models and the concept of intersectionality hold for counseling and the counseling relationship? Well, as discussed in our assigned readings, the principal rationale behind intersectionality theories is highlight the existence and importance of the populations that deal with multiple marginalized identities and how these clients are uniquely discriminated against. The other focus of intersectionality theories is to confront and dissipate societal and institutional oppression and barriers to justice through social justice advocacy. Furthermore, it appears that these types of theories and models are in their infancy and there is much work to do still ahead tin order to expand and ensure these concepts spread exponentially throughout society, especially for those the helping professions. 3 3. As counseling professionals, how does these implications shape our understanding of multicultural competence? As mentioned above, based on how the world continues to evolve, so do we as counselors. Although many of the theories and concepts that form the foundations of mental health construct are exceptionally validated and reliable theories, counselors today cannot expect these theories and concepts will always be applicable “as is” and will be successful in every situation. As we have learned, it is imperative to maintain an open mind and a desire to seek out new ideas and concepts that are individually compatible for each client we serve. Yes, this most certainly is more work and more time consuming, but if we do not have that passion or dedication, then our clients will be the ones who suffer the most and our societal situations will only continue to deteriorate.

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