Virtual Field Experience Analysis

Largely, individual variables within the LGBTQ community can consists of race, ability, gender identification, age, or in this case, age. The cultural competency trainings are based on a “Cultural Humility” meaning change occurs as a lifelong process of learning, this includes self-examination and refinement of one’s own awareness, knowledge, behavior and attitudes on the interplay of power, privilege and social contexts (Joo, Margolies, & McDavid,

* I don’t believe it is in the best interest of the original client (the husband) for the counselor to offer marriage counseling to the couple. The scenario does not address the training of the counselor in this field. If I were the counselor, I would continue to see the husband, dealing with his issues and refer the couple to a marriage counselor.

What can I take away from the experience of observing this video that will help me build knowledge and Self-Awareness in Therapeutic Communication?

Similarly, another resource within the knowledge center on the website, is Competencies. These competencies are listed on the website as a resource to supply a guide for counselors and other helping professionals within the field to ensure that they are adequately and ably serving, working, and advocating for clients from different populations (cite). There are a variety of competencies to consider. The competency that was examined in this paper was Competencies for Counseling the Multiracial Population, which was published in March 2015 (cite). These competencies are extremely helpful for new counselors and even seasoned counselors that need to brush up on ways to serve their clients from various backgrounds. This resource helps the counselor utilize their sessions with their clients with respect to their background while still adhering to ethical standards. They are constructed in a way that the information is organized in accordance with the Council for Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) Standards eight common core areas (cite). For example, in the Competencies for Counseling the Multiracial Population document, it discusses the languages and definitions that could be used in a session with multicultural individuals such as when dealing with interracial couples, multiracial families, or transracial adoption (cite). The document then goes on to list standards and objectives, which are

According to the APA, guidelines, directed in virtual field experience, the counselor applied the following competencies: Issues of diversity, relationships and family, and last attitudes towards bisexuality, and homosexuality (APA,2016). The following are examples of how she displayed each competency. Dr. Constance, approached Tracy

49). Similarly, this approach is useful when working with LGBTQ individuals and other diverse groups, as it is focused on individual’s thoughts and reactions to stressors and is open to modifications. CBT has some shortcomings in regard to cultural competence, as it may be difficult for some to question the values of their cultures. For instance, a female, Asian client may have difficulty questioning her husband’s motives (Corey, 2009, p. 301).

For Alisa, as a counselor, it is imperative we consider the challenges that may arise as an LGBT adult. She may face potential problems with career needs and barriers due to her sexuality. It is also crucial to understand that our society does not appreciate and accept the fact that she is female or discriminates against Hispanics. It is crucial that we understand the different levels of discrimination that Alisa may

Dr. Garzon's presentation on Lesbian & Gay Population addresses the American Counseling Association and Association of Marriage and Family Therapy's about the role and importance of religious identity when working with lesbian and gay clients. Both groups advocate for gay affirmative treatment, but religious identity conflicts with this treatment plan. Religion is a recognized diversity area in the professional ethics code. This could cause an ethical dilemma for many Christian counselors. I like how Stephen mentions Jeff's reminder in that counselors are not to impose their belief systems onto their clients. ACA's code of ethics calls for counseling professionals to respect their client's faith and not impose their values on their clients.

In Chapter 10 of Rudolph K. Sanders’ book, Christian Counseling Ethics: A Handbook for Psychologists, Therapists and Pastors, Mark Yarhouse, Jill Kays and Stanton Jones discuss the “sexual minority” as it pertains to the field of professional counseling. This group is defined as “individuals with same sex attractions or behavior, regardless of self-identification” (Sanders, et. al., 2013, p. 252). By looking at counseling the homosexual community through its etiology, standards by which a counselor should proceed with treatment, and the options a client has on deciding treatment options, we can be better prepared as Christian counselors to be better prepared in serving the needs of others.

“Coming out” is a means of identifying one’s sexual orientation as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. At its most basic, “coming out of the closet,” means being honest with those around you—friends, family, colleagues, and so forth—about your sexual orientation, about whom you are. It also means acknowledging one’s sexual orientation to self. Such disclosure is an ongoing, lifelong process rather than a one-time event. New personal, social, and professional situations require gay men and lesbians to make decisions about the degree to which they can be open about their sexual orientation (Morrow, 1996).

Also, the counselor inflicts his worldview of marriage (heterosexuality) on to the Client, and he fails to recognize that the Client is proud of her sexual orientation. Further, the counselor insinuates that the Client must address relationship discord with companion to examine maladaptive behaviors which may contribute to symptoms of irritability and difficulty sleeping. In fact, the Client explicitly mentions the desire to reduce symptomology and develop healthier ways to communicate feelings and emotions as reasons for seeking counseling services. Of the American Multicultural Counseling Competencies, I believe this counselor should reassess the following: Self-awareness: the inability to learn cultural background regarding marginalized and privileged status; Client's worldview: factors that influence communication style; Counseling relationship: personal worldviews, beliefs, values, and biases positively or negatively impact therapeutic alliance; Counseling and advocacy interventions: fostering theoretical orientations to empower autonomy, as the previously mentioned create barriers to his ability to provided counseling services

The video was informational which made it interesting to focus on. One of my favorite theories was Reality Therapy because it focuses on the current events and the issues that are starting to develop. With this theory many seek therapy, which encourages problem solving, and it is based on the idea that people experience stress when their needs have not been met. Reality Therapy is a process and it is used on an everyday base. We all have the need to get things done and seek help right away. For example, if someone were complaining about their relationship, then ask questions to get specific information about their problem. Help lead them towards a solution and away from the actual problem. Leading them away from the problem allows them to leave

Sara has an ethical dilemma when confronting her own values regarding same sex, or bisexual desire and behavior. Holding strong personal values regarding sexual orientation, gender identity, the imposition of therapist values, attitudes, negative personal reactions, limited empathy, and lack of understanding will only taint the therapeutic relationship with Bernard. In order for Sara to implement any therapeutic strategy with Bernard, the first thing she needs to change is her assumptions and attitudes toward the sexual orientation of others. Therapists like Sara should be able to confront personal prejudices, myths, fears, and stereotypes regarding sexual orientation. Sara also admits not having enough knowledge about gay relationships but, a therapist who works with LGBT clients has the responsibility to understand the special concern of these individuals and it is ethically obligated to develop the knowledge and skills to competently deliver services to them. Sara's self-disclosure in this case clearly states that discrimination, or acting different toward a group of people, is unethical and

The first was how the disclosure experience was shaped by cultural representations. The bisexual individuals were usually aware or had some idea of how their family members felt about their sexuality and how they would respond, so, based on that, the individual would be strategic in how and who they came out to. The second theme that arose was how the cultural constructions affected how family members responded to their bisexual family member coming out. This theme focuses a lot on the stereotypes of bisexuality that the family members were aware of and the extent to which they shaped their responses. The last main theme was how the disclosure process was embedded in a broader family

The sexual orientation identity development is a theoretical model that conceptualized the resolution of internal conflict related to the formation of individual sexual identity. For sexual minority people, it is commonly known as the coming-out process (Bilodeau & Renn 2005). There have been many different models elaborated to explain such process. All of them share similar stages: awareness, crisis, and acceptance (Loiacano 1989). When individuals become aware of their queer feelings and attraction, they try to block these homosexual feelings by constantly denying and minimizing them. This mechanism of defense leaves negative sequelae in their overall psychosocial well-being (Bilodeau & Renn 2005). Individuals tend to pass by a