Discussion Topic #4 – Chapter 3 – Counseling in Context
(300 words minimum for main posting with 200 word replies)
Chapter 3 of the text illustrates the Respectful Counseling Framework, and includes four counseling approaches with a social justice orientation (p. 73).
For this discussion:
Briefly describe the Respectful Counseling Framewor
Discuss two of the approaches with a social justice orientation
The RESPECTFUL counseling framework gives direction to both assessment and counseling by helping to focus the counselor’s attention on multiple factors affecting human development; it is based on a broad and deep appreciation for multiculturalism, diversity, and social context. This approach recognizes the multidimensional nature of human development and addresses the need for a comprehensive model of human diversity that has practical utility for the work of mental health professionals (D’Andrea & Daniels, 1997, 2001). This comprehensive diversity framework consists of 10 factors that were selected because they are noted to affect clients’ psychological development and personal well-being in many important ways. Following are the specific factors:R—religious/spiritual identityE—economic class backgroundS—sexual identityP—level of psychological maturityE—ethnic/racial identityC—chronological/developmental challengesT—various forms of trauma and other threats to one’s sense of well-beingF—family background and historyU—unique physical characteristicsL—location of residence and language differences As counselors, it is known that mental health is also affected by experiences of oppression. As long as the client is mired in guilt, they will have a difficult time meeting the challenges of developing life skills. “Clients who recognize the role of oppression in their lives are more likely to move from self-blame to a solid foundation of self-defense.” Oppression can be defined as “the systemic disadvantage of one group compared to another group that has the collective power of the state or society.” (Arnold, 1997)The two approaches to counseling that I chose are empowerment-focused counseling and feminist counseling, both of which have in common that they are oriented to social justice, in addition to that they empower people to develop individually, they help to recognize what is happening them and how to use the skills so that the context does not affect their lives. Both have the following characteristics: Empowerment-ocused counseling focuses on empowering clients more, not less if they learn to recognize the ways they are affected by their environmental contexts. Victims adopt the values and norms of the dominant group and criticize the traditional values and experiences of their own group. Oppression hinders positive individual action. And Feminist Counseling and Therapy focuses on helping clients recognize the complexity of relationships that are affected by competitive oppressions. Many counselors and therapists see the feminist model as appropriate for both men and women and use it to increase their understanding of all forms of oppression. The women’s movement provides a broad conceptualization that helps move the conversation from one focus to a single example.Daniela FerrufinoReference:Lewis J.A., Lewis M.D., Daniels J.A., D’Andrea M.J., (2011), Community Counseling: A Multicultural-Social Justice Perspective, Fourth Edition, Belmot, CA; Brooks / Cole, Ch. 3.
Ivanna Schuls
The Respectful Counseling Framework is based on a broad and deep appreciation for multiculturalism, diversity and social context. The RESPECTFUL model consists of 10 factors: religious/spiritual identity, economic class background, sexual identity, level of psychological maturity, ethnical/racial identity, chronological/developmental challenges, various forms of trauma and other threats to one’s sense of well-being, family background and history, unique physical characteristics and location of residence and language differences. These 10 factors represent what is considered to be important aspect of “cultural diversity.” The RESPECTFUL counseling framework recognized the multidimensional nature of human development and addresses the need for a comprehensive model of human diversity that has practical utility for the work of mental health professionals.
The 4 counseling theories or approaches that adheres to the social justice paradigm are: empowerment-focused counseling, ecological counseling, feminist counseling and relational-cultural counseling. For the purpose of this forum, I will be discussing empowerment-focused counseling and feminist counseling and therapy.
Empowerment-focused counseling emphasizes in how the client can be more empowered by learning the ways they are affected by their environmental context. Empowerment is being aware of context, including oppression, learning skills for self-management, mutual support, self-esteem, and the ability to recognize options and make choices. The competencies that underlie and empowerment-based approach to counseling are explicated in the ACA Advocacy Competencies. The advocacy-oriented counselor is able to identify strength and resources that clients bring to the counseling process, recognize the signs indicating that an individual’s behavior and concerns reflect responses to systematic or internalized oppression, train clients in self-advocacy skills, and others.
The Feminist Counseling and Therapy began when women realize that the problems that they perceived to be their own were, in fact, systematic. They began to perceive that what they thought were personal shortcomings were actually rooted in social/political realities. Feminist counseling and therapy grew out of this realization to help professionals and clients to increase the understanding of oppression. Feminism has always concentrated on gender as a political construct.
Some of the characteristics that those 2 approaches have in common is that both are focused on helping the client with a social justice orientation. It expresses some problems for example, racism, sexism, etc. Both approaches emphasized the social justice counselor’s role of advocacy and social activism. It helps the client understand the situation in the broadest possible context and help them work from a strengths-based perspective.
Thank you, Ivanna Schuls
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