Working with Difference and Diversity PDF

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Summary

teacher: William Reader.
Equality Act 2010 - Legal Requirements
Protected characteristics:
- age;
- disability;
- gender reassignment;
- marriage and civil partnership;
- pregnancy and maternity;
- race;
- religion or belief;
- sex;...

Description

Working with Difference and Diversity

Context of difference and diversity -

Our concept of “mental distress”, and interventions based on this (including C&P), are enshrined by historical perspectives dominated by the thoughts and experiences of white, middle-class, men. Our concept of “conditions of worth”, especially those relating to family are “culturally inappropriate within collectivist cultures” (Reeves, 2013). If we continue to uncritically apply concepts and interventions, it will result in unethical and oppressive C&P practices. More recently, debate further added to within Professional, Ethical and Legal arenas…

Equality Act 2010 Legal Requirements Protected characteristics: -

age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation.

The Equality Act 2010 legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society. It replaced previous anti-discrimination laws with a single Act, making the law easier to understand and strengthening protection in some situations.

“The Big Seven” Diversity – The Presence of Particular Differences Between Individuals in a Group of People/Society. Most prominently recognized types of difference are referred to as “The Big Seven” (Moodley & Lubin, 2008) -

Age Gender Race Religion Ability (physical and/or mental) Sexuality Socio-economic Class

Counselling and Diversity -

Counselling consists of conversations around the most personal aspects of the client’s life: Understanding why they feel the way they do Making significant life decisions Resolving conflicts

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The ways in which issues are approached are framed by ideas/beliefs acquired through social and cultural experiences. Our belief of what is “helpful” or how emotional wounds are “healed”, derived from same sources. To be an effective counsellor, we must develop a capacity to relate to people from a wide range of backgrounds. (McLeod & McLeod, 2011)

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Power -

Definition of “Power” is much debated, but consequences are evident. Groups/individuals who deviate from what society have defined as ”normal” are susceptible to power of the state/society to control/oppress. Sometimes this is explicit (e.g. apartheid laws in South Africa), sometimes implicit (loss of employment, unequal pay, unequal access to C&P). Groups and Individuals can be oppressed within social structures because of difference and diversity. (Reeves, 2012)

What about “Equality”? -

Equality - The principle that every person should be treated fairly and equally. BACP (2018) highlights counsellors have a duty to: Demonstrate Equality Respect Diversity Uphold these values in relation to our clients and colleagues.

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BACP Equality & Diversity Forum (2014): Recognises particular groups are privileged within the UK Forum represents the often underexamined norms, on which difference is founded “Advantage/Norm: includes: white-Caucasian, heterosexual, able-bodied, male, employed, middle/upper class, British-born adults.

Equality in C&P -

Even if a practitioner is able to carry out counselling in a rigorously empowering / non-oppressive manner, their work could still contribute to inequality. Access to counselling is correlated with indices of social power/status. Counselling services for members of ethnic minorities, LGBT persons and religiously committed persons as improved recently Mainstream services and training courses are predominantly staffed/recruited with white, middle-class, heterosexual, non-disabled people who attract clients of similar characteristics. (McLeod & McLeod, 2011)

Privilege Experience -

The lived experiences of ”Dominant” groups are not heterogeneous either. Neither is the impact on emotional and psychological well-being. Privileged groups can still experience hardship. For Example: Men have lower life satisfaction than women; 45-59 lowest life satisfaction 75% of people who commit suicide are men Men are 3x more likely to become alcohol dependent than women (Government Wellbeing Survey, 2018)

Why working with awareness is important -

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People who attend C&P do not form one homogenous group They represent the full spectrum of people across socioeconomic status, age, gender, culture, sexuality and disability In turn, they bring experience of privilege, power, discrimination and powerlessness.

Unconscious Bias -

C&P Practitioners are social beings – conscious and unconscious understandings of difference sow prejudice and biases So – is that? Do we ignore these? Do we work to eradicate all prejudice and bias? Do we select who we can and cannot work with? BACP Ethical Guidelines! Increased awareness is obtained through a non-defensive, openness to personal biases – basis for nondiscriminatory and ethical practice.

Inclusion of social and cultural contexts -

Counsellor addressing social & cultural differences with client: Communicate that problems do not reside solely within; reduce client self-blame and reluctance to engage with process (Vontress, 2012b) Enhance ability to convey UPR, idiosyncratic empathy and congruence – essential to build trusting relationship (Paul & Charura, 2015) Route into managing clients expectations of counselling & counsellors role as non-expert: foundations for addressing power imbalances and introducing equality into working relationship (Pelham, 2008)

How do practitioners work with D&D? -

BACP: The Four As Awareness: Aware we all have differences; some of these can lead to barriers and oppression. Assumptions: By recognising we all carry assumptions, then we can challenge them. Allyship: Creating safe/accepting space where the client can be themselves. Ask: Knowledge of a community is helpful, it's important to ask about their individual experience.

Gender -

Definition and construction of “Gender” Male vs Female? Masculine vs Feminine? Gender Fluid? Non-Binary? What are the shared needs for women and men seeking help? Intimacy, Confidentiality, Trust, Presence, Touch, Security What are the challenges for women and/or men seeking help? Women are more likely than men to access psychological help (WHO, 2012) Feminist theorists argue support for women has focused on facilitating them back into their gender role. Men are under-represented in helping professions, including C&P

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Gender-aware therapy -

Regard Conceptions of Gender as Integral Aspects of Counselling and Mental Health Understanding of gender effects and sexism Consideration of clients problems within their societal context: connecting the personal and political societal aspects of problem increasing awareness of gendered inequalities Actively Seek to Change Gender Injustices Emphasise Development of Collaborative Therapeutic Relationships Deemphasise the expert role of the counsellor Respect Clients' Freedom to Choose (Good, Gilbert & Scher, 1990)

Working with sexual orientation -

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Reeves (2013) growing recognition of sexual orientation as part of a continuum of emotional and sexual experiences rather than fixed way of being; social and emotional visibility, status and protection accompany ‘being straight’ above all else Awareness of the particular challenges LGBT clients face in their daily life (Grove, 2009) : ‘coming out’ potential rejection, hate, discrimination & violence ongoing lack of social visibility, acceptance & belonging

Gay Affirmative Counselling Practices (Hunter and Hickerson, 2003; Davies & Neal, 2000) -

Not a specific form of therapy but rather use of traditional psychotherapeutic methods Therapists need to attend to and be aware of own prejudice & assumptions about sexual orientation – enable them to connect fully with the client Engagement with non-traditional psychological knowledge challenges traditional view of homosexual desire and orientation as pathological Providing a secure space where both client and counsellor comfortably participate in a full exploration of sexuality Counsellor demonstrates specific knowledge and awareness of issues affecting LGBT clients Counsellor enabling client to be themselves fully in the therapeutic relationship

Cultural Diversity -

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Culture is a social concept which reflects ideas, customs, understanding and behaviours of a particular people or society including those relating to mental well-being & distress Culture has a powerful influence within counselling work as it is central in shaping how think about, and experience our self, structures our immediate relationships as well as our view of the world & how we experience it (Mohamed, 2006) Long history of research into impact of culture on understanding and experiences of mental health difficulties “Culture influences what gets defined as a problem, how the problem is understood and which solutions to the problem are acceptable.” (Hernandez et al., 2009)

Dimensions of cultural diversity Individualism – Collectivism, e.g. Japan -

Identify as largely Autonomous/self-contained vs Part of the family / community “The nail that sticks out gets hammered down” Most western-established models (person-centered, CBT) focus on how the individual client thinks/feels.

Egalitarianism -

Everyone is more or less equal vs Visible differences in power/authority (Informal dress/speech and narrow band of income distribution vs. castes/religious hierarchies) Work collaboratively vs Expecting counsellor to take the lead.

Culturally Sensitive Practice -

Therapists consider their preconceptions about the clients cultural backgrounds and that of their families: differences in conceptualisation of mental health and illness differences in conceptualisation of self in relation to family and community differences in communication styles differences in clients understanding of therapy and its aims Profound impact on therapist’s ability to attend to client and effectively demonstrate empathy, nonjudgemental acceptance and genuine interest Acknowledge that differences in power, privilege and experiences of discrimination (both historically & in here and now) may be impacting on clients well-being and engagement with therapy Awareness that people who share same cultural background are not homogeneous – demonstrate interest in exploring client’s culture and identify aspects of it they positively engage with...