Multicultural Awareness and Counseling
In recent years the month of June has been more widely recognized as a time of celebration and empowerment for historically marginalized groups. More specifically June is a month long observance of LGBTQIA+ Pride commemorating the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer culture as well as community. In 2021, a holiday known as Juneteenth (June 19th) was recognized federally for remembering the date in 1865 in which enslaved persons in Texas learned that they were free from slavery more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed into law. Observing this time of the year as a place of remembrance and celebration is valuable for all allies to be aware of, especially those in mental health care and other health fields, due to the many intersecting identities of the patients and clients that we work to serve.
For those of diverse and multicultural identities, finding a counselor with shared identities (racial, gender, sexual orientation, religious, neurodiverse, disabled to name a few) can be an important part of the healing process that counseling can bring. Finding a counselor or other health care provider who identifies in the same exact ways that we do can become a daunting feat at times and has the potential to become a barrier to care. The counseling process as well as the counselor themselves have the unique role and opportunity to be able to make space for those of diverse backgrounds to be able to express themselves without fear of judgement or further repercussions that have the potential to inflict harm. Mental health professionals of all multicultural identities are required to go through rigorous training when learning to work with clients different from themselves with special focus on making sure that they give space to the client so that shared understanding, reflection, and creating meaning can take place. Further breaking down stigma, creating safe and inclusive spaces, and embracing every human being’s uniqueness are some of the many ways that multiculturalism shows up in the counseling room, because mental health care welcomes all.
Finding the right therapist is an important part of the counseling journey. Every child and family is unique, and a good fit can make a meaningful difference in the therapeutic process. If you have questions or would like to learn more, our child therapists offer complimentary phone consultations. Families are welcome to schedule a consultation at their convenience to determine whether our services are the right fit for their needs.
