Monday, May 18, 2020

Overcoming Racism And Barriers To Counseling African...

Overcoming Racism and Barriers to Counseling African Americans Racism against African Americans and other ethnicities is still prevalent in our society. Salis (2015) mentions a recent poll of Caucasian and African Americans and found that sixty percent of those surveyed felt racial relationships ha vent improved and forty percent felt they were worse. In this paper, I will identify how a counselor can reduce the effects of racism and discrimination that has affected African Americans. Additionally, I will address what role a counselor plays in reducing the stigma of mental illness within the African American community. Furthermore, I will highlight the legal and ethical issues identified in the video â€Å"Snapping the Chain: Ending Mental†¦show more content†¦To effectively lessen the effects of lifelong racism and discrimination, Hays Erford (2014) recommends a strength-based approach, with the counselor focusing on the individual and family capacities. Focusing on the client’s positive attributes and favorable cultural norms can encourage one to become more resilient (Vaterlaus, Skogrand, Chaney, 2015). Furthermore, applying counseling skills such as unconditional positive regard, empathy, consistency, focusing on the client, and providing a supportive environment can all help the therapeutic relationship (Hays Erford, 2014). Additionally, making the counselor/client relationship equal will also allow the client to feel more comfortable, may dispel the mistrust of counseling prominent in African American culture (Hays Erford, 2014). Finally, acknowledging the racial differences with the client could encourage them to discuss the racism and discrimination they may have experienced (Hays Erford, 2014). Reducing the Stigma Associated with Counseling Per Vaterlaus, Skogrand, Chaney (2015) studies have shown that African Americans reaching out for mental health services are perceived to be powerless or weak, and are often humiliated and feel embarrassed. In a study performed by (Ward, Wiltshire, Detry Brown (2013) African Americans were found to be hesitant to confess any mental health problems and were more likely to cope using religious practices. In my opinion, African Americans are connected toShow MoreRelatedChildren Are Victims Of Violence And Violence3788 Words   |  16 Pagesa daily occurrence. Robberies and physical and sexual assaults occur everywhere and there are often several witnesses to the event. â€Å"Research has shown that exposure to traumatic experiences such as crime and violence, found in predominantly African American communities exceed those in areas dominated by most other ethnic groups† (Coker, et. al., 2014, p. 88). Children are exposed to violen ce and grow up thinking it is a normal part of daily life. These children grow up in fear and use coping mechanismsRead MoreAfrican American Cultural Values And Norms1653 Words   |  7 PagesWhen beginning work with the client, there were a number of apparent differences between her and myself, including age, race, and social class. As previously stated I had to become more culturally competent about working with African American clients before I started seeing the client. Furthermore, I had to become aware of the difficulties that would be present due to our age difference. I made sure to give Betty the opportunity to tell me how situations made her feel, and empathized with her, makingRead MoreSpecial Considerations for Clients of Islamic Faith3055 Words   |  12 PagesB. Pg. 29). Some clients, including those of Muslim culture, may go into the counseling sessions with certain expectations of how the counselor will be and what will go on during their time there. Tailoring the therapeutic process for each client, no matter what their cultural beliefs are, is important because it is like the counselor is sending them the message of understanding and a true desire to help. Racism and perceptual bias are the fourth key predictors for there to be a culturally relatedRead MoreManagement Course: Mba−10 General Management215330 Words   |  862 Pagesservice purchase, he or she tells six other potential buyers. In contrast, a dissatisfied consumer informs 25 other potential buyers. That is the leverage of quality in shaping consumer sentiment, which is vital in powering the two-thirds of the American economy that is consumer-driven. Therefore, as companies again go back to the business basics, this is a reminder of the most fundamental of those basics: Company managers need to recognize that a business’s income comes from its customers, not from

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