Counseling African-Americans: Problems And Solutions
Running head: COUNSELING AFRICAN-AMERICANS
Counseling African-Americans: Issues/Problems/Solutions
Introduction Although African-Americans families have come a long way when it comes to professional counseling, the many issues that the families face when seeking professional assistance are more culturally based. Culture can be defined as the attitudes, habits, norms, beliefs, customs, rituals, styles, and artifacts that express a group’s adaptation to its environment (McAuliffe, 2008). It is the many ways that are shared by group members and passed on over time. All aspects of our lives, from attitudes toward health and sexuality to everyday communication styles, are affected by culture. Our expectations about …show more content…
In the African American family, females have very high coping skills. The belief that they have to be strong, despite life’s pitfalls, runs rampant throughout the culture. According to one study, African-American females display higher self-confidence, lower levels of substance abuse, and more positive body images than do White female adolescents” (Sue & Sue, 2008). One tool that has been used to help counselors understand the family context, to trace behavior and problems of family members, and to identify patterns and issues within
African American families, is the genogram. The genogram is a graphic representation of family members and their relationships over at least three generations. Even though understanding dysfunctional patterns is essential to treatment, identifying strengths is also key to directing interventions. Genograms provides the mechanism to identifying strengths and resources of individuals and families within a life cycle framework. Genograms provide an outstanding mechanism to encourage insight and awareness by focusing on strengths, beliefs, and traditions in families (Chavis, 2004). An example of a genogram is depicted …show more content…
How are children cared for in your family?
How would you describe your family 's and extended family 's sense of unity?
How would you describe your family 's sense of "home"?
Where do your family members reside geographically?
How do you and your family members communicate with each other?
How are thoughts and feelings expressed?
What happened during time of crisis?
How would you describe intergenerational relationships in your family, extended family?
What were significant transitions and/or critical life events in the history of your family, extended family?
What events or situations have been stressful for you and your family?
When these events take place how do you or family member respond?
How do you and family members seek help and support?
Where and to whom do you turn for support?
What social supports are available to you?
What is the meaning of spirituality and religion for each member of your family going back three or more generations?
How do different family members express religious and spiritual beliefs?
How significant and important is prayer in your family and extended family?
What is the level of involvement in organized religious institutions, i.e.
Counseling African-Americans: Issues/Problems/Solutions
Introduction Although African-Americans families have come a long way when it comes to professional counseling, the many issues that the families face when seeking professional assistance are more culturally based. Culture can be defined as the attitudes, habits, norms, beliefs, customs, rituals, styles, and artifacts that express a group’s adaptation to its environment (McAuliffe, 2008). It is the many ways that are shared by group members and passed on over time. All aspects of our lives, from attitudes toward health and sexuality to everyday communication styles, are affected by culture. Our expectations about …show more content…
In the African American family, females have very high coping skills. The belief that they have to be strong, despite life’s pitfalls, runs rampant throughout the culture. According to one study, African-American females display higher self-confidence, lower levels of substance abuse, and more positive body images than do White female adolescents” (Sue & Sue, 2008). One tool that has been used to help counselors understand the family context, to trace behavior and problems of family members, and to identify patterns and issues within
African American families, is the genogram. The genogram is a graphic representation of family members and their relationships over at least three generations. Even though understanding dysfunctional patterns is essential to treatment, identifying strengths is also key to directing interventions. Genograms provides the mechanism to identifying strengths and resources of individuals and families within a life cycle framework. Genograms provide an outstanding mechanism to encourage insight and awareness by focusing on strengths, beliefs, and traditions in families (Chavis, 2004). An example of a genogram is depicted …show more content…
How are children cared for in your family?
How would you describe your family 's and extended family 's sense of unity?
How would you describe your family 's sense of "home"?
Where do your family members reside geographically?
How do you and your family members communicate with each other?
How are thoughts and feelings expressed?
What happened during time of crisis?
How would you describe intergenerational relationships in your family, extended family?
What were significant transitions and/or critical life events in the history of your family, extended family?
What events or situations have been stressful for you and your family?
When these events take place how do you or family member respond?
How do you and family members seek help and support?
Where and to whom do you turn for support?
What social supports are available to you?
What is the meaning of spirituality and religion for each member of your family going back three or more generations?
How do different family members express religious and spiritual beliefs?
How significant and important is prayer in your family and extended family?
What is the level of involvement in organized religious institutions, i.e.