Lucille

The percentage of the population in the United States comprised of older adults (65+), sometimes referred to as Baby Boomers (birth year 1946 – 1964) and the Silent Generation (birth year 1925 – 1945), is steadily on the rise. This population is often overlooked and has a unique subset of issues when it comes to counseling competencies. Layered multicultural competencies affecting these individuals include race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and ageism. Counseling concerns related to age include but are not limited to loss of autonomy, loss of physical ability, loss of loved ones, and changing definition of self. From an existential therapeutic background blended with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) interventions, the author reviews the case study of Lucille with a focus on therapeutic intervention and Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCCs).

Navigating Toxic Masculinity in Clients as a Beginning Therapist

The purpose of this chapter is to provide counseling students with a framework that will allow them to broach gender with male clients and to navigate conversations that may elicit anxiety for beginning counselors. This will be done through the case example of Whitney, a graduate student who just started internship. Her client is Rick, a client in his 50s, who is coming to services because of receiving a DUI and needing to complete counseling for his diversion mandate. Whitney is younger than Rick and has the experience of having some discomforting exchanges with him, such as remarks on how “bright” she is and a passing comment her outfit. The strategies proposed in this case study are grounded in the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies and in Relational Cultural Theory and will give students a framework for understanding clients who may respond like Rick.

Case Study for Counseling Same Sex Couples Through the Fertility Process

Fertility and reproductive technologies are increasingly important topics for counseling LGBT+ individuals. As legislation improves, lesbian couples have additional opportunities to expand their families. Professional counselors may be aware of the various fertility methods (e.g., artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization), but may lack understanding of the specific differences inherent in the process for two females. Lesbians also face barriers present in a heteronormative society. This chapter describes a counseling relationship with a lesbian couple who are working through the fertility process. When performing counseling work, using the multicultural and social justice competencies allows the counselor to provide ethical practice. The counselors use Relational-Cultural Theory, a feminist theory, to help Jane and Kelsey set goals consistent with the tenets of the theory. Additionally, the counseling team and couple work through the unique barriers a lesbian couple faces when experiencing the fertility process in a heteronormative society.

Just Eat!

This chapter explores the application of the 2015 Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC) in conjunction with an eclectic family systems when counseling a Latin@ family. The Martinez family was referred to family counseling due to concerns of one of the children's school counselors, regarding a possible eating disorder diagnosis. The case study includes a rich description of the first session with the Mexican-American Martinez family, and examines family dynamics around the identified client, Javier. The Martinez family includes the following members: (1) Mañuel, Javier's 41 year-old father who owns his own construction business; (2) Camila, Javier's 38 year-old stay-at-home mother; (3) Alejandro, Javier's 17-year-old brother; and (4) Isabella, Javier's 12 year-old sister. A discussion of the author's cultural background, counseling approach, and use of the MSJCC lens when working with the Martinez family is also included. Initial goals and prognosis for treatment are considered.

Healing Alex's Wound

Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC) has emphasized the need to consider multicultural and social justice factors into all aspects of the counseling profession. Consistent with the MSJCC guideline, it is essential that counselors provide developmentally and culturally responsive interventions when working with children from diverse backgrounds. Adlerian play therapy is a unique approach in which counselors incorporate basic tenets of individual psychology and premise of play therapy to help children work through different types of emotional or behavioral issues. This chapter provides an overview of the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on children's mental health, particularly the multitude of effects on Hispanic children. The author then illustrates the application of Adlerian play therapy from MSJCC's perspective to work with a Hispanic boy exposed to a high level of ACEs.

Counseling With a Muslim-American Family

Islamophobia is the unfounded fear of Islam and resulting hostility that Muslims experience as a religious minority in the U.S. For a marginalized community in the U.S., this increases the risk for poor mental health outcomes and further compounds stigma around help-seeking behaviors. In this case study, a family unit presented for counseling with stress resulting from life cycle stressors. However, the intersectionality of their religious identity affected how the individuals experienced transitions as well as microaggressions. This case study includes a counselor's application of the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies, treatment interventions, and extensions for further professional development.

Flying With Eddie

Over 2.4 million American service men and women were deployed overseas between 2001 to 2011. Families of these service members include over one million spouses and two million children under the age of 18. There is a growing need for counselors to understand the mental health needs of military service men and woman, and the unique aspects of military culture. This chapter will demonstrate how to practically apply the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC) to counseling work with the military population through a case study.

The Case of Harper, Courageous Cultural Conversations in the Counseling Room

The authors will utilize the case of Harper to delineate how to counsel clients to remain true to one's personal identity, while still developing a culturally competent identity in empathetic relationship with others. Harper is coming to counseling because she is facing a move from her homogeneous cultural community in Western North Carolina to the diversity of Washington, DC. Harper states she is fearful and anxious about (1) having to set her values aside, (2) being offensive because she lacks awareness of other cultures, and (3) the unknown of what living around different religions, ethnicities, and cultures may entail. The authors will explore practical ways in which the MSJCC can be implemented in the clinical setting for the sake of counseling clients toward cultural competency. Counselors will examine the importance of counselor self-awareness, regarding marginalization and privilege, within the therapeutic relationship. The authors will provide examples of experiential, solutions focused, and group therapy interventions to help clients move toward cultural competency.

Utilization of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) With Charlotte Underrepresented on Campus

This chapter will focus on an underrepresented student in STEM Charlotte and the utility of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and how African-American college students' access to STEM careers remains low with representation of eight percent in varied STEM fields by Georgetown University Center on Education and Workforce Analysis. This chapter highlights psychological flexibility in ACT in connection with counseling an African-American female, and first-generation college student in STEM who has academic, financial, emotional, and familial stressors. A multicultural and social justice perspective (MSJCC) addresses some of the unique challenges this student faces while focusing on her holistic growth in the counseling process. Recommendations for higher education, counseling, and STEM are discussed.

Lucia's Journey of Bridging Two Worlds

Lucia is a Latina first-generation college student (FGCS) attending a predominantly white institution, a state university in her hometown, located in a large metropolitan city in the Southern United States. While in her sophomore year, Lucia accessed counseling services on her campus to discuss having difficultly balancing school, work, and home responsibilities. In this chapter, the author discussed the challenges experienced by Latinx FGCS along with the strengths they bring to college settings. In addition, the author utilized the case study of Lucia to discuss her counseling approach for helping Latinx FGCS navigate the terrains of higher education.