1.5 Integrate knowledge of human and cultural diversity in relation to psychotherapy practice Flashcards
Recognize how oppression, power and social injustice may affect the client and the therapeutic process. Recognize barriers that may affect access to therapeutic services.
During the Diversity course several of the readings and lecture focused on oppression, power and social injustice.
One of these reading was a book “Counseling the Cultural Diversity”, which gave me an opportunity to rethink diversity and role as a therapist. I see society as having many reactions along a continuum as we strive for the ideal (homeostasis) first there was oppression, then awareness, avoidance, tolerance, politically correctness, acceptance and eventually embracing differences.
My thoughts on what’s going on when a strong reaction to oppression comes up. Many of us feel marginalized by the outside world every day, oppression is something we tolerate daily and therefore the trigger is just the tip of the iceberg with much to explore beneath.
Recognizing the effects of oppression, power imbalances and social justice as it relates to the therapeutic process makes me conscious when dealing with clients. Things I try to keep in mind to avoid imbalances include; avoiding stereotyping, acknowledge the complexity of personal development, be careful of implied judgements, nothing is simple or global if you have met one child on the spectrum you have met one child on the spectrum.
During our Group Experiential class, we spent several classes exploring vulnerability, power and oppression. We viewed a series from Brene Brown on vulnerability followed group discussions and personal exploration through journaling and art making.
As defended in 1.1.3 In the course, Diverse Populations was a series of weekly guest speakers with a specialty in a particular field. Speakers shared their experience, insights, challenges and techniques for working with a specific population. The populations presented included; Art therapy with people living with HIV/AIDS, Art Therapy with People with Developmental Delay, Art Therapy open studio with Homelessness, Art therapy with Immigrant and Refugee Women, Art Therapy with Adolescents in Secure Treatment, Phototherapy with War Veterans, Art Therapy with Youth who have Sexually Offended, Art Therapy with Women who have experienced Violence and Abuse, Art Therapy with Young Mothers. These lectures highlighted the discrimination systemic marginalization, and the impact on an individual’s life.
Adapt the therapist’s approach when working with culturally diverse clients, using culturally-relevant resources.
As defended in 1.1.3 In the course, Diverse Populations was a series of weekly guest speakers with a specialty in a particular field. Speakers shared their experience, insights, challenges and techniques for working with a specific population. The populations presented included; Art therapy with people living with HIV/AIDS, Art Therapy with People with Developmental Delay, Art Therapy open studio with Homelessness, Art therapy with Immigrant and Refugee Women, Art Therapy with Adolescents in Secure Treatment, Phototherapy with War Veterans, Art Therapy with Youth who have Sexually Offended, Art Therapy with Women who have experienced Violence and Abuse, Art Therapy with Young Mothers. These lectures highlighted the discrimination systemic marginalization, and the impact on an individual’s life.
Exploring with clients, resources and knowledge on how best to understand and meet the culturally diverse needs helps to keep the relationship balanced and places the client as the expert on their own life.
