Читать книгу Counseling and Psychotherapy - Группа авторов - Страница 113

It would be important for the counselor to consider Clarita’s cultural contexts and the ways these affect her now. When she married, Clarita’s Puerto Rican roots merged with her husband’s southern culture. In counseling, Clarita could explore the intersection of these two cultures and any associated controlling images she carried. From the case description, it seems that Clarita feels she is not good enough in many areas. Being aware of any controlling images and recognizing the ways these operate in her life could give voice to Clarita’s struggles with self-worth and sense of alienation.

The counselor would recognize the impact of Clarita’s disconnections and controlling and relational images, and the counselor would open up to experiencing Clarita’s pain. As they work together, they would explore the relationships in Clarita’s life and the sense of powerlessness that Clarita currently feels. The counselor would open themself to Clarita’s story and communicate that impact to her. This foundational expression of mutual empathy begins the process of Clarita’s grief work and the reworking of her relational and controlling images. It would also support the necessary work of increasing self-empathy and self-compassion.