Analysis of Cross Cultural and Multicultural Counseling
Counseling LGBT Individuals
Possible Barriers to Individual Counseling LGBT individuals may be hesitant to receive counseling due to prejudice and discrimination that they receive from society. The individual may or may not have come out yet to their loved ones, and the idea of talking with a counselor could increase their fear. On page 479, Sue & Sue (2013) explain that coming out is ongoing and individuals have to decide when to talk about it. This individual may also be struggling with self-identity because they can keep their “true self” secret. Transgender clients struggle with contrasting internal and external perceptions and the conflicts that are brought up because of it (Sue
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It could also be overlooked in the assessment stage. Since a large number of LGBT individuals have experienced a hate crime (Sue D. & Sue D., 2013, p. 480), the individual may lack trust at the beginning of the counseling relationship. When an individual feel that they have been born in the wrong body, the DSM diagnosis is known as gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria is considered a mental disorder even though they share similar struggles as the gay and lesbian groups (p. 475). There may be personal bias with the counselor and/or the individual. If the bias isn 't recognized and identified, it could create a barrier to the relationship and therapeutic relationship (p. 482).
Possible Impact of Cultural Affiliations between the Counselor and Individuals Both the counselor and the individual 's religious or spiritual views could impact the relationship (p. 485). The counselor 's views on homosexuality should be explored. There also might be an internal struggle with the client that identifies with a certain religion that views homosexuality as “wrong.” On page 477, Sue D. & Sue D. (2013) explain that gay-straight alliances along with anti-bulling policies reduces harassment and can lower suicide risk.
Applied Counseling and Multicultural
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“Although most schools have policies that prohibit anti-gay discrimination or harassment, only 30% offer any education regarding sexual and gender diversity and less than 30% of school districts provide training for teachers and staff regarding challenges facing LGBT student (Sue D. & Sue D., 2013, p.476).” Same sex marriages are prohibited in many states and there isn 't much literature on same-sex marriages (p. 477). Adoption can be challenging in some states (p. 477). Research has shown that children raised by same sex couples are mentally healthy, the same as being raised by heterosexual couples. Counselors should be aware of their own bias and believes when it comes to same sex marriages, raising families (p.
Throughout history, there have been various perspectives of multicultural differences. According to Meriam Webster (n.d.), culture is “the beliefs, customs, arts, institutions, and the thoughts or products of a particular society or group.” Unfortunately, African Americans, Native Americans, Italians, Irish, Jews as well as various other cultural groups have been profoundly discriminated against and negatively stereotyped (Good Therapy org.). With the frequent mingling of cultures in educational settings, the workplace, and in the social arena, we are bound to encounter cultural differences.
In conclusion, keeping Gender Dysphoria as a diagnosis aids the most vulnerable population in seeking treatment and care, options, protection, and guidance. As society and medicine moves forward, we may be able to steer away from mental health bias and general discrimination towards non-conformity, but for now it is important to protect the patients who are helped by the diagnosis. Gender Dysphoria currently allows patients to be treated under their insurance, have access to care, and fight for their
Lev, A. I. (2013). Gender Dysphoria: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back. Clinical Social Work Journal, 41(3), 288-296.
There are many issues that interfere with the health and happiness of those within the Gay and Lesbian community. The National Association Position Statement on Gays and Lesbians is as attempt to abolish such issues within the social work practice. One place that individuals of any sexual orientation practice should feel safe is with those who have chosen the field of social work as a means to helping the oppressed. Social workers must be aware of their own personal beliefs and values when it comes to the fear of and the misrepresentation of working with this divers group. The consequences of not dealing with such issues and may have a latent manifest in dealing with the Gay and Lesbian population, and if not addressed prior to working in this field, maybe devastating to a client.
There are many issues that arise for transgender individuals, particularly those effecting one’s emotional and psychological state.
Cognitive behavior therapy helps to change the way that people think or behave. This paper will discuss this approach applied through multicultural lenses. It will discuss a therapy session and how the therapist applied this approach and how effective it was. It will then explain how the therapist applied the AMCD multicultural counseling competencies.
There is very little research that has been done in the past on the mental health of LGBT individuals. In 1997 the federal center for Mental Health Services called for information to be compiled on the topic (Lucksted 3). Most of the information came from small publications, grass root information and self-reporting and even this information was incomplete because of the lesser reporting on people of the transgender and bisexual communities. This older report shows what the state of affairs was in ...
Homosexuality is becoming more and more accepted and integrated into today’s society, however, when it comes to homosexuals establishing families, a problem is posed. In most states, homosexuals can adopt children like any other married or single adult. There are many arguments to this controversial topic; some people believe that it should be legal nationally, while others would prefer that is was banned everywhere, or at least in their individual states. There are logical reasons to allow gays to adopt children, but for some, these reasons are not enough. The main issue really is, what is in the best interest of the child? This type of problem isn’t really one with causes, effects, and solutions, but one with pros and cons. Like any other adoption situation, a parent prove themselves to be responsible and capable enough to raise a child on their own, or with a spouse.
Since the 1970s, studies on the effect of same-sex parenting on children have been conducted in the United States. Sociological debates have occurred from the idea of allowing same-sex couples to parent. Some groups feel that allowing this would undermine the traditional ideology of marriage and skew the perception of gender roles for their children. Sociologists continue to produce empirical research that studies samples of the approximately 125,000 same-sex couples raising nearly 220,000 children and comparing their roles as parents and the adult personalities of their children to children raised by heterosexual couples. Current scientific research comparing the outcomes of children raised by gay or lesbian parents with children of heterosexual parents consistently shows that same-sex parents are just as capable of raising “psychologically healthy and well-adjusted” children as heterosexual parents. Research comparing children raised by same-sex couples and heterosexual couples found no differences in the adjustment or mental health of these children as adults.
When working with young women who is questioning their sexual orientation it can be difficult, as they may feel that their friends and society will not accept them for who they are. This can have a huge impact on their mental health, there was a case study done that looked into the mental health issues in the LGBT community. There was a case study done with Meyer (2010) they were talking about how some people at a young age their sexual orientation can be bisexual as this is the stage of confusion, they said that this has no impact on gender or minority group. This can decrease the social well-being and also their self-esteem. Though no differences in social or psychological well-being were found by gender, female gender was related with miserable mood.
Cultural Competent Care India is a country with a diverse group of cultures, ethnicities, religions and languages. The Central government decided that Hindi was to be the official language of India and therefore it also has the status of official language in the states (India 2014). While doing my interview with M.P, I realized that one of the most important areas that would affect nursing care to someone from India is the language barrier. Not everyone from India speaks English and those that do may not fully understand the language to be able to make informed decisions regarding healthcare.
I appreciate your response. Deeawn, when I counsel individuals in the real world, it is not my duty to enforce my viewpoint on an individual who is already engaging in sexual activities. My devoir as a spiritual counselor and advisor is to deal with their real life issues. 99.5 of homosexuals are engaging in sexual acts and teaching and conversing to them about safe sex is the correct method. One of my younger gay relatives died because he did not use protection. A few years ago, I had a foster daughter who was bisexual with two children at 16 years of age. In foster care training, the first essential point they teach foster parents is not to articulate our opinions and viewpoints on others. I tell heterosexual individuals to protect themselves
The thing about multicultural education that surprised me the most was how much opposition there is to multicultural education. I would think, by now, people would be able to see how unbalanced the current educational curriculum is and welcome the inclusion of aspects from other cultures. I have read arguments ranging from, multicultural education is inherently racist to multicultural education promotes Islam and is indoctrinating our youth with terrorist ideas. Like most hot button issues in this country, people in positions of power will use everything possible, including fear-mongering, to further their agenda.
Cultural Appropriation versus Multiculturalism In today's society, there are many different cultures that individuals identify with. Culture is very important to many people and is something that helps define who we are. When different cultures are respected and appreciated, it is a beautiful thing, it can bring individuals in society closer to one another. Ideally, this understanding of one another’s cultures can lead to multiculturalism.
This can lead to conversion therapy, which is supposed to normalize someone that is believed to have the wrong sexual orientation or gender identity. Conversion therapy tactics use to include castration and shock therapy. Even though these tactics have died down, physical methods are still used. (nclrights cite) Convention therapy feed the idea that non-conformity to your gender is not a normal trait and that it should be a condition or disorder, which it was. The American Psychiatric Association (APA), previously defined not conforming to your gender as gender identity disorder. Only 15 years after opposed harsh therapy, APA changed the condition of gender identity disorder to gender dysphoria. (Obama cite) This change in perspective helps transgender people receive treatment to ease their anxiety, whether then causing it as conversion therapy