Q. I am a new psychologist and living in Redmond, I see many clients of different background. It's wonderful that I get to work with such a diverse population, but I am having problem truly understanding each culture. I have many Indian clients and some Chinese clients and my previous understanding of their culture really interferes with my relationship with these clients. What do you think is happening with me?
A. One big thing that I learned during my time in school of social work was the continuous emphasis on "never assume" never assume the client to be such and such. and that's not easy, because we are naturally a biased being. In fact, being biased can even protect us from danger. However, when it comes to really knowing the client, who she / he is, we must try all our effort to not have the bias, prejudice, stereotype.
Just because she categorize herself as "Hispanic" does not necessary means she fits into the stereotype of Hispanics. She may not speak a word of Spanish, she may not even know where her ancestors came from. She may not eat Mexican food, or even hate Mexican food. She may not relate too well with relatives and families.
So what I am trying to say is know the individual. I myself is very complicated. I am mix of many cultures, and I do not feel comfortable identifying myself as Japanese. Even when my close friend tells me "Nora you are Japanese" I try to deny that, and want the person to see more of who I really am with multiple cultures in me. I also do not like when people ask me the first question when they meet me as "Are you Chinese? Japanese? Korean?" because they will automatically form prejudice or stereotype of who I am. I know that they may not intend to harm me, but still that's not how I want others to see me as to begin. Please see me as Nora, a unique individual who may look like an Asian but that does not represent me as someone from any of the countries in Asia.
So some of the questions I find it important to ask is;
• How does the client describe who she / he is? Does she come out and say as her first identity as such and such?
• What does the client think about others in their cultural groups? Even though the client is actually such and such, she may have a negative image towards the group. She may say "I don't want to be identify as ~ "
• How does the client's social identities form who she/he is from all different parts of who she/he is? his gender, his education, his race, etc.
• Is there one or two particular social identities that the client is more aware of on daily basis?
• Which social identities most influence how the society views them? Does that affect her/him to some degree? It's not an easy life when society constantly sees you as a man but inside you, you are a woman.
Here are some suggestions to keep in mind;
- I suggest you be curious, get to know who she really is. Ask questions that will help you to understand her.
- When clients feel they are heard, they will respond, and you will have a good rapport with them.
- Therapist need to ask right questions, and be an active listener.
- Never judge clients from your own understanding of that culture.
- Do a good study on their history. If she identify herself as Korean, find out the history of that country.
- Just showing interest in their background will make clients feel welcomed and accepted, most of all, acknowleged.
- Know what's going on with the people of that culture, for example, when the Asian Hate was on the horizon, you need to know the events that is happening now, and be sensitive towards that political environment.
- Know who you are. What kind of world view do you hold? How do you identify yourself culturally?
- If you are privileged, know how much you are privileged. How much can you relate to these clients who are homeless, just got evicted, can't pay the rent, doesn't own a car, living day to day.
- Show respect towards your clients. Just because they are of low socio-economic status, does not define who they are. Every human being needs to be respected. If you as a therapist ever think you are above your clients, they will never come back for their next appointment.
- You cannot help your client when you don't know who you are helping.
Hope these tips help you.
If you want further guidance, do contact me through www.caretheworld.com
I will be happy to guide through your struggles as a new therapist.
But I would enjoy time of "peer counseling" because I still struggle as a therapist even after many many years of being one.
It's a life-long learning, to be a better therapist.
A. One big thing that I learned during my time in school of social work was the continuous emphasis on "never assume" never assume the client to be such and such. and that's not easy, because we are naturally a biased being. In fact, being biased can even protect us from danger. However, when it comes to really knowing the client, who she / he is, we must try all our effort to not have the bias, prejudice, stereotype.
Just because she categorize herself as "Hispanic" does not necessary means she fits into the stereotype of Hispanics. She may not speak a word of Spanish, she may not even know where her ancestors came from. She may not eat Mexican food, or even hate Mexican food. She may not relate too well with relatives and families.
So what I am trying to say is know the individual. I myself is very complicated. I am mix of many cultures, and I do not feel comfortable identifying myself as Japanese. Even when my close friend tells me "Nora you are Japanese" I try to deny that, and want the person to see more of who I really am with multiple cultures in me. I also do not like when people ask me the first question when they meet me as "Are you Chinese? Japanese? Korean?" because they will automatically form prejudice or stereotype of who I am. I know that they may not intend to harm me, but still that's not how I want others to see me as to begin. Please see me as Nora, a unique individual who may look like an Asian but that does not represent me as someone from any of the countries in Asia.
So some of the questions I find it important to ask is;
• How does the client describe who she / he is? Does she come out and say as her first identity as such and such?
• What does the client think about others in their cultural groups? Even though the client is actually such and such, she may have a negative image towards the group. She may say "I don't want to be identify as ~ "
• How does the client's social identities form who she/he is from all different parts of who she/he is? his gender, his education, his race, etc.
• Is there one or two particular social identities that the client is more aware of on daily basis?
• Which social identities most influence how the society views them? Does that affect her/him to some degree? It's not an easy life when society constantly sees you as a man but inside you, you are a woman.
Here are some suggestions to keep in mind;
- I suggest you be curious, get to know who she really is. Ask questions that will help you to understand her.
- When clients feel they are heard, they will respond, and you will have a good rapport with them.
- Therapist need to ask right questions, and be an active listener.
- Never judge clients from your own understanding of that culture.
- Do a good study on their history. If she identify herself as Korean, find out the history of that country.
- Just showing interest in their background will make clients feel welcomed and accepted, most of all, acknowleged.
- Know what's going on with the people of that culture, for example, when the Asian Hate was on the horizon, you need to know the events that is happening now, and be sensitive towards that political environment.
- Know who you are. What kind of world view do you hold? How do you identify yourself culturally?
- If you are privileged, know how much you are privileged. How much can you relate to these clients who are homeless, just got evicted, can't pay the rent, doesn't own a car, living day to day.
- Show respect towards your clients. Just because they are of low socio-economic status, does not define who they are. Every human being needs to be respected. If you as a therapist ever think you are above your clients, they will never come back for their next appointment.
- You cannot help your client when you don't know who you are helping.
Hope these tips help you.
If you want further guidance, do contact me through www.caretheworld.com
I will be happy to guide through your struggles as a new therapist.
But I would enjoy time of "peer counseling" because I still struggle as a therapist even after many many years of being one.
It's a life-long learning, to be a better therapist.
