ACA MEMBER BLOGS

It is that beautiful time of the year again (my favorite season) when the leaves turn a cornucopia of colors blazing across varying landscapes across our nation. Fall is a busy time for many of us especially when we have to make sure our kids are staying on track academically.

In these politically heated days, I don’t think anyone would argue that we are all a little bit on edge regarding our moral and ethical values and how they may be being upheld or stomped on in these trying times.

Words such as culture, race, and ethnicity are extremely prevalent in counseling today. Counseling does not exist in a vacuum. We may sometimes feel that what is happening in the outside world is shut out of the counseling room, but it is not and has never been. Counseling and therapy exists to serve the needs of the people within our societies.

I believe it is our duties as fathers to speak the truth to our sons and daughters about this country’s shadow which many in positions of privilege are able to ignore and walk past each day. I find that having discussions with our children is the key to awareness and planting seeds of cultural empathy.

Every counselor that I have met has a different style and approach about working with clients. No matter what our theoretical orientation, we often have certain techniques that we have tried, tested, and developed over the years that define our authentic counseling self.

I have to say upfront that the term Karma that I am going to talk about is not the meaning or definition of Karma that is used in the urban dictionary way…in memes or quotes, t-shirts, coffee mugs etc. That meaning of Karma means dealing with consequences or more like the saying: as you sow, so shall you reap.

In July, I completed a continuing education (CE) book chapter on multiculturalism and social justice from the American Counseling Association (ACA) and I was very much impacted by this piece. The CE piece by Paul B. Pedersen and Manivong J. Ratts (Ph.D) called Multiculturalism and Social Justice: A Revolutionary Force in Counseling and Psychology was so inspirational for me.

The recent tragic events and hostile political climate surrounding us are a constant and urgent reminder of why justice oriented counselors and are critical agents in our fight against inequities.

“Do you ever get tired of being positive?” asked my friend. “Whatever do you mean?” I asked. “Tired of being upbeat and positive and patient and hopeful?” she continued.

Have you ever come across a nice blog, a Facebook post or a tweet that you agreed with a 100%? Have you ever experienced scrolling down to the end and reading comments that other people have provided in the comments or reaction sections?