“Focusing primarily on the race of the provider and the client, while valid, is an approach that does not consider the system itself, the functions of the diagnosis, and its structurally developed links to protest, resistance, racism and other associations that work against the therapeutic connection.”
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Jane Myers and Tom Sweeney are the only husband and wife couple who have both been presidents of the American Counseling Association. They made substantial contributions to the evolution of the counseling profession, in addition to their work during their presidencies and as active members of ACA’s governmental structure.
Knowing the multicultural considerations of the Asian American population — and prioritizing culturally sensitive treatment approaches — has become an essential service now and for the foreseeable future.
As professional counselors, we are braving telehealth, juggling our own mental health needs amid those of our clients, and helping friends and family members adjust to uncertainty and unemployment, all while trying to pepper in some self-care and generally navigate this unprecedented time for ourselves.
If we can see how grief might be driving our clients’ dysfunctions, then what we should be treating is grief rather than just depression, addiction or other symptoms of grief. We cannot change loss. Facing it and finding ways to cope are the keys to resolution.
How can the counseling community help domestic violence clients who are trapped at home with their abusers? There is no “how-to” manual to deal with the current situation, of course, but the safety of this vulnerable population demands us to do our best.
It is crucial to understand the social ramifications perpetuated by this outbreak so that we can promote optimal care for the clients we serve.
Award-winning essay by Rebecca Alexandra Smith of East Carolina University
“The bottom line is that as a counseling student today, you will be even better prepared than some licensed clinicians once you enter the counseling field. You will be able to show great empathy to clients when they seek services to manage the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Moral injury is a cluster of symptoms that is linked to but separate from PTSD. There is an emerging effort to distinguish between the two and recognize moral injury as a common and distinct syndrome that requires targeted treatment.