Читать книгу Counseling the Culturally Diverse - Laura Smith L. - Страница 43

Dr. D. seems to easily dismiss the importance of Gabriella's Latinx culture as a possible barrier to their therapeutic work together. Gabriella wonders aloud whether he can understand her as a Latina (being a racial, ethnic, cultural being), and the unique problems she faces as a Person of Color. Dr. D. attempts to reassure Gabriella that he can, in several ways. He stresses (a) that people are more similar than different, (b) that we are all “human beings,” (c) that he has much experience in working with Latinx individuals, and (d) that everyone is the “same under the skin.” Although there is much truth to these statements, he has unintentionally negated Gabriella's racialized experiences, and the importance that she places on her racial/ethnic identity. In multicultural counseling, this response often creates an impasse to therapeutic relationships (Arredondo, Gallardo‐Cooper, Delgado‐Romero, & Zapata, 2014). Note, for example, Gabriella's long period of silence following Dr. D.'s response. He apparently misinterprets this as agreement. We will return to this important point shortly.