From the literature on Liberation Psychology, and on healing trauma and strengthening resilience in special populations, I compile here some techniques that counselors can incorporate into one-on-one sessions and group therapy that fosters psycho-historical self-awareness and understanding of "multiple dimensions of identity" (Goodman, 2013). More than any specific tool, we must have as our foundation a culturally competent framework that informs our interactions with clients. Particularly for those of us who are white, counseling programs must prepare future counselors "to undertake a serious self-examination of the impact of their privileged position in society that often leads them to ignore many of injustices that underlie clients’ soul wounds and psychological distress." In their work with the indigenous, authors of "Liberation Psychology as the Path for Healing Cultural Soul Wounds," "analyze and help clients deconstruct their cultural history in ways that liberate them from the traumatic and oppressive conditions that brought them to their present situation." They explain that when counselors reduce mental health care to a matter of "personal (intrapsychic) issues" and ignore "sociohistorical context," it "contributes to the psychological oppression of individual clients, their families, cultural communities, as well as the helping professions themselves."
Tools
Adopting the language of the client, finding out what has resonance and meaning for the community with whom you are working. Duran et al. suggest using "appropriate cultural metaphors," such as "the 'spirit of sadness' is visiting" when working with some of their Native American clients.
Both the Critical Genogram (CritG) and Transgenerational Trauma and Resilience Genogram (TTRG) take into account intersectional oppression, with generational perspective on identity, power, trauma, and resilience, in addition to the familial relationships traditionally represented in a genogram. As Rachael D. Goodman describes, this map of generational connections, "incorporates cultural dimensions, including immigration/acculturation factors, ethnic and racial identities, social class, gender, and spiritual/religious identities," and "examines the ecosystems in which a person exists, paying particular attention to social, political, and economic systems." Furthermore, the Critical Genogram "emphasizes deconstructing forms of oppression and identifying ways in which an individual can increase her or his consciousness and take action to transform oppressive systems" (see images).
Eco-webbing puts a social justice spin on case conceptualization with a family systems approach that takes into account vertical and horizontal stressors. Counseling students can practice mapping out systemic and historical factors that may be impacting their clients. Eco-webbing promotes for counseling students: "developing compassionate empathy, (b) understanding their client in multiple contexts, and (c) integrating more client information" (see image).
Tools
Adopting the language of the client, finding out what has resonance and meaning for the community with whom you are working. Duran et al. suggest using "appropriate cultural metaphors," such as "the 'spirit of sadness' is visiting" when working with some of their Native American clients.
Both the Critical Genogram (CritG) and Transgenerational Trauma and Resilience Genogram (TTRG) take into account intersectional oppression, with generational perspective on identity, power, trauma, and resilience, in addition to the familial relationships traditionally represented in a genogram. As Rachael D. Goodman describes, this map of generational connections, "incorporates cultural dimensions, including immigration/acculturation factors, ethnic and racial identities, social class, gender, and spiritual/religious identities," and "examines the ecosystems in which a person exists, paying particular attention to social, political, and economic systems." Furthermore, the Critical Genogram "emphasizes deconstructing forms of oppression and identifying ways in which an individual can increase her or his consciousness and take action to transform oppressive systems" (see images).
Eco-webbing puts a social justice spin on case conceptualization with a family systems approach that takes into account vertical and horizontal stressors. Counseling students can practice mapping out systemic and historical factors that may be impacting their clients. Eco-webbing promotes for counseling students: "developing compassionate empathy, (b) understanding their client in multiple contexts, and (c) integrating more client information" (see image).
The racial autobiography described by Lois Helmbold under my discussion of Community Consciousness Raising is one example of an exercise that can encourage self-reflection and understanding among counselors and clients alike. Counselor education programs can assign this as part of course work in developing cultural competency. Templates of this exercise can be found online readily through a keyword search.
Personal testimonies, expressive art therapy, and narrative storytelling that illuminates the "resilient dimensions" of transgenerational experience (see image). This strengths-based approach that allows the client to author or creatively express their own story can be empowering and enable them to build confidence in their capacity to cope with healthy strategies.
Personal testimonies, expressive art therapy, and narrative storytelling that illuminates the "resilient dimensions" of transgenerational experience (see image). This strengths-based approach that allows the client to author or creatively express their own story can be empowering and enable them to build confidence in their capacity to cope with healthy strategies.
References
Denham, Aaron. 2008, September. "Rethinking Historical Trauma: Narratives of Resilience." Transpersonal Psychiatry. 45(3): 391-414.
Duran, E., Firehammer, J. and Gonzalez,J. (2008). "Liberation Psychology as the Path for Healing Cultural Soul Wounds." Journal of Counseling and Development. 86: 288-295.
Goodman, R.D. (2013). "The transgenerational trauma and resilience genogram." Counselling Psychology Quarterly. 26(3-4): 386-404.
Kosutic, I., Garcia M., Graves, T., Barnett, F., Hall, J., Haley, E., Rock, J., Bathon, A., Kaiser, B. (2009, July). "The Critical Genogram: A Tool for Promoting Critical Consciousness." Journal of Feminist Family Therapy. 21(3): 151-176.
Williams, J. M., McMahon, H. G. and Goodman, R. D. (2015), Eco-Webbing: A Teaching Strategy to Facilitate Critical Consciousness and Agency. Counselor Education and Supervision, 54: 82–97. doi:10.1002/ceas.12006
Denham, Aaron. 2008, September. "Rethinking Historical Trauma: Narratives of Resilience." Transpersonal Psychiatry. 45(3): 391-414.
Duran, E., Firehammer, J. and Gonzalez,J. (2008). "Liberation Psychology as the Path for Healing Cultural Soul Wounds." Journal of Counseling and Development. 86: 288-295.
Goodman, R.D. (2013). "The transgenerational trauma and resilience genogram." Counselling Psychology Quarterly. 26(3-4): 386-404.
Kosutic, I., Garcia M., Graves, T., Barnett, F., Hall, J., Haley, E., Rock, J., Bathon, A., Kaiser, B. (2009, July). "The Critical Genogram: A Tool for Promoting Critical Consciousness." Journal of Feminist Family Therapy. 21(3): 151-176.
Williams, J. M., McMahon, H. G. and Goodman, R. D. (2015), Eco-Webbing: A Teaching Strategy to Facilitate Critical Consciousness and Agency. Counselor Education and Supervision, 54: 82–97. doi:10.1002/ceas.12006