Scattered Ashes
Scattered Ashes
By Aryssa Washington
The swirl of ashes gently caress the air we breathe,
the ground on which we walk.
In a silent slow dance, we move with the cadence of time
Hands linked at birth, we dance
I twirl, you hold on, you spin me around
You lead, I follow.
Hands twined by life, bound together, broken by death
I lose your hand
You meld into the dancing ashes,
All that’s left–you tinkling my fingers,
Covering my tears, my smile, my heart
Hands ripped from the grip of another
The connections severed, the love faded, the future ruined
I stand still
Hiding movement from the ashes pulling at my heart to dance
Another hand captures mine, another dance slowly begins
Whether I move or not the dance of death pushes me in motion
Pulls at me to dance among the ashes
The river of death flows through the hand linked to mine, linked to someone else’s
We are connected by the eventuality of the fall
Twinkling ashes slowly drawing us under, into the mist
Turning us to dust
A slow dance, A quick pace
The beauty of life in death
A dance from living to ashes, leaving trails, pulling at my hands
My feet begin to move
I twirl
I slowly dance again
You hold my hand, I spin you around
I lead, you follow
Slowly swirling to scattered ashes.
Taking culture into consideration during therapy!
Multicultural Considerations in Therapy
Clinicians face an interesting task when diagnosing and treating a minority client especially when considering the clients cultural upbringing. The clinicians at Anchor Counseling Center express cultural acuity in their dedication to assisting all people despite race, gender, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation. Culture may be defined as “the quality in a person or society that arises from a concern for what is regarded as excellent in arts, letters, manners, education, religion, etc. (Webster’s Heritage Dictionary). A more common definition of culture is “the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group.” Generally, culture is not measured effectively. For the most part it is measured by broad inquiries such as “what’s your religion, what is your socioeconomic status, and what is your race/ethnicity?” Questions of culture usually go no deeper than that, rendering the assessment inaccurate.
The only way to assess another’s culture with semblance of accuracy is to dig a little deeper, or rather, ask more in-depth questions (done in person is even better). Questions may include: “1) What were your parents like? 2) How were you raised 3) Did you grow up with a certain belief system/has it changed? 4) What would you consider your socioeconomic status? 5) What ethnicity do you most associate with/why? 6) What is traditional and/or important to you?” These questions actually allow the clinician to get a snapshot of another’s life and/or thought process. The more specific questions give a basis for understanding the individuals culture, as some aspects of their culture may not follow “culture-specific or culture-general belief systems” (Lopez, 2006 p. 16).
The cultural competence model proposed by Steve Lopez is a “model of cultural competence derived from research and clinical practice to serve as a guide in providing culturally appropriate mental health services for culturally diverse clientele” (23). His model recognizes that clients and clinicians have their own culture-specific perspectives. A culturally competent therapist is capable of moving (and deriving meaning) between the two different perspectives to form a beneficial treatment plan. Lopez suggests that the cultural perspective operates in four different clinical domains: engagement, assessment, theory, and method. Regarding engagement, “a culturally competent therapist is able to understand what the client views as the problem and what the client wishes to gain from therapy.” Basically, the therapist gains understanding as to how the client perceives his/her issue. The client perceives the therapist as understanding his/her circumstance and the therapist has the job of assessing potential theoretical issues, diagnostic formulations and historical factors ( Lopez, 1997, 576).
The assessment dimension is really just the idea that when conducting formal or informal assessment procedures, the culturally competent therapist will consider mainstream cultural-specific norms and the norms specific to the client’s culture (577). And even though the DSM-IV offers clinicians the appendix of culture-bound syndromes, the appendix is limited in its applicability in relation to the numerous cultural differences that exist in America. This acknowledgement of existing differences between mainstream and individual cultural norms helps to eliminate over-pathologizing or minimizing causation/diagnoses. The third domain is theory, which generally explains the clients psychological functioning and how therapy works to change the behavior (579). Culturally competent clinicians recognize that clients may hold differing theoretical models which may be rooted in his/her culture. Assessing what the client believes to be the problem and ways the problem is maintained by his/her culture is beneficial. The idea is that the therapist integrates the client’s explanations with the theoretical model in order to get some positive effect. The last domain is the Methods, or procedures by which the clinicians use to facilitate change in their client (582). This is basically means that clinicians fit the method of treatment to what the client believes is helpful, or believes can work. For example, if I am a patient with depression but my culture forbids drug therapy the therapist would direct me to alternative methods of treatment such as an exercise plan or maybe meditation etc., something I think is acceptable and will work. Also, it is important that clinicians learn about culturally syntonic treatment methods for their clients in order to influence, or persuade them to try a method different than what they “know” (582).
There are several ways students and professionals can further their own degree of cultural competence. The main idea that I came up with is to embark on a mission of self-discovery. By this I mean an in-depth study of your life, perceptions and how others and how you think others may perceive you. Research your likes and dislikes about how you were raised and if you still hold similar beliefs or if they have changed. Only once we can somewhat understand our own cultures can we begin to try and see things form another perspective. It’s hard to imagine that we can try and know someone else if we don’t sort-of know ourselves. Also understanding our own privileges can help put into perspective others who don’t have those privileges. Keep an open-mind and be aware of our own biases and stereotypes. Making the assumption that every client you meet is different from you helps eliminate biases and other assumptions you might make based on what you think you know. I am also a firm believer in just getting out there and experiencing a different culture, being uncomfortable for five minutes won’t necessarily kill you. Another means to become competent is to ask questions, if you truly don’t know, just ask. Most people would rather that you ask ‘with foot in mouth,’ as opposed to you operating on assumption. It seems humiliating, but I have been on the receiving end of some ‘foot in mouth’ comments and most of the time it is a humorous experience as you know that the other person knows that he/she just said something really off the wall. I would recommend that we just try and remain humble beings and learn from one another. So whatever your race, gender, belief, background, or sexual orientation, we are here to assist you and your needs. In helping individuals, children and families, the Anchor Counseling Center is always open to learning new things from the people we serve.
References
* Lopez, S. R. (1991). Cultural sensitivity in clinical practice: A process model. California Psychologist, 24, pp. 14;23.
* Lopez, S. R. (1997). Cultural competence in psychotherapy: A guide for clinicians and their supervisors. In C. E. Watkins, (Ed.), Handbook of psychotherapy supervision, (pp. 570–588). New York: Wiley.
* Lopez, S. R., & GUARNACCIA, P. J. (2000). Cultural psychopathology: Uncovering the social world
of mental illness. Annual Review of Psychology, 51, 571–598.
Speech, Persuasion and Opinion: The Power of Language during therapy.
The Power of Language and Therapy
In the famous speech, “Encomium of Helen,” Greek sophist, Gorgias, offers an undeniable level of understanding regarding speech, persuasion and opinion. Gorgias presents the idea that “speech is a powerful lord.” I readily agree that with words comes power and with power comes a certain responsibility as the speaker or writer. Language is communication and on the most basic level of survival, communication in some way is necessary for all beings. The idea that I can elicit thoughts, actions, and change with words alone is powerful in itself. Humans are taught and learn through language, whether it be written, spoken, or a modeled behavior. We as human beings construct and utilize a communication system that allows us to categorize and make sense of things. Once an individual is able to understand what the communication system entails, they can then use this language device to their advantage. In many clinical settings, the aim of therapy is to have the client take control of his/her own actions and thoughts via language, speaking. In fact, most therapy sessions are carried out through conversational dialogue, or writing in journals, or even through the language of body positions. Gorgias’ claim fits perfectly with the more common quote that “with knowledge, comes power.” Once I know what a certain communicating group of people considers true (right), acceptable, and worthwhile, then I can use words or communicating devices that I know will elicit specific reactions. Power comes into play regarding speech in that I can totally construct an argument or proposition that can completely sway my audience in the direction of my choice via my language (word) selection and structure. In general, clinicians should have a great command of the therapeutic language, in that they can guide their clients to a place of understanding, change, and self-power. With this, however, comes a certain amount of integrity and responsibility on the part of the clinician, and trust, on the part of the clients.
One of the most striking lines in Gorgias’ speech says, “…but since opinion is slippery and insecure it casts those employing it into slippery and insecure successes.” I will here pose the question, “what are our opinions, and what do they do?” Even if we base our decisions on empirical evidence this predicates the notion that said data is right or true, rendering our decisions based in opinion. Our opinions in the realm of reality are nothing but a guide for our own individual souls. Our opinions are ever-changing and are rarely ever concrete which means the opinion is susceptible to the power of words. Clinicians, like any human being, do have their own opinions, but those opinions should only guide them. Great clinicians are able to use their own opinions to guide themselves in therapy, yet listen and utilize the opinions of the client to assist him/her in his/her situation. Because of the authority role clinicians hold, it is possible to impose one’s own opinions on the client if untrained. With this understanding I would agree with Gorgias that the persuader has the power to constrain. As the persuader (clinician) I can set boundaries around my constructed argument (opinion) that gets the audience (clients) to react and feel the way I need them to in order to sway them into a state that facilitates change. In essence, the job of the clinician is to use language–therapeutic techniques–to get clients to see where a problem exists and then teach clients the language necessary to change the issue; thereby giving the client ultimate power.
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We at Anchor Counseling Center are remembering 9/11!
At Anchor Counseling Center, ten years ago the numbers “9″ and “11″ did not mean anything but were simply two numbers that were separated by, ironically, the number “10.” Today, the numbers “9 and 11″ bring back memories of a tragic event and day that left many individuals, families, and ultimately a country scared and scarred for many years to come.
It was that day when this country lost 3,000 civilians due to 4 suicide bomb attacks. New York City, as well as Washington, D.C., was physically affected losing some this country’s most visible and notable buildings, including the Pentagon. Coinciding, passenger’s attempts to take control of the fourth hijacked jet crashed into a field in Pennsylvania – the jet’s intended destination also being Washington, D.C.
At “Ground Zero” thousands of police officers, fire fighters, EMS personnel, search and rescue dogs, construction workers, and civilian volunteers responded trying to find survivors and just lend a helping hand where needed.
During that dark and horrific morning the country took precautions to protect the President. President Bush was continuously moved around the country until approximately 7pm. When he returned to the White House, he addressed our nation. His now famous speech echoed the country’s sentiments, “Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.” In a reference to the eventual U.S. military’s response he declared, “We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.”
Operation Enduring Freedom had begun. The military captured and slowed down the Taliban within two months. But, it would take our country and its military almost 10 years to capture Bin Laden. On May 2, 2011, the US military captured and killed the mastermind behind the most devastating attack and day in this country’s history.
Today, many people are left with their own burning holes of empty feelings after losing loved ones. On that day, our freedom, as we knew it was taken. Some of us are still healing from the wounds of that day. There is not much anyone can do for the many who suffered during that time, on that day, and in the days following.
At Anchor Counseling Center, we provide therapy and counseling to many people. Although, many of our patients may have never felt a loss from this tragedy, they do, in their own way deal with loss, grief, anger, disappointment, sadness, and many other issues.
Whatever the feelings or cause, we are here to respond to your needs. Anchor Counseling Center has over 20 clinicians in Cranston, East Providence, and Lincoln, RI. While the help may not reach the gravity that the 300 or so first responders, who lost their lives faced on that fateful day on September 11, 2001- we are here to help; one family at a time.
May God bless America! We and this entire nation are forever grateful to the brave men and women who protect and defend this wonderful country of ours every day. You are the reason that we can proudly say that we are the “the land of the free and the home of the brave.”If you or someone you know need someone to talk to please contact us.
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Richard Figueira, LICSW
Clinical Director
Anchor Counseling Center
Rhode Island
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