Culture and Diversity Considerations with Aaron Kelsay

SMART Counsel

Need a break from the Corona Virus? Let’s talk about culture and diversity! The counseling relationship is marked by a stark power differential that is only made starker by differences in race, class, gender, education, sexual orientation, physical ability, and many other factors. How do we consider the power differential and work for what is best for the other person, while neither dismissing their problems, nor perpetuating systemic oppression? What are the cultures to consider, and who are the vulnerable people? Aaron Kelsay shares his experience of providing addiction counseling services to clients of diverse racial and class backgrounds. We consider how to consider the impact of our Whiteness and discuss striving for a mindset of cultural humility versus trying to master cultural competency skills. Along the way, we question established treatment structures, such as the 12-Steps, that came from privilege and tend to support privilege. We advise against use of jargon without first spending time in relationship earning the right to speak. Through it all, we challenge each other, and other professionals with power to be mindful of the space they occupy, and to always seek to learn from others and be willing to grow and change. This episode of SMART Counsel features the following professionals: Rhys Pasimio - newpatterncounseling.com Aaron Kelsay – [e-mail] Please visit www.patreon.com/smartcounsel to learn how you can support the podcast. Thanks! The Master’s in Counseling program at Multnomah University and New Pattern Counseling present this podcast as a resource for aspiring and current professionals, as well as members of the greater community. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of Multnomah University or its faculty or New Pattern Counseling. Aaron’s recommended reading list: By Author James Cone: “ “The Cross and the Lynching Tree.” “A Black Theology of Liberation.” By Author Cornell West: “The Rich and the Rest of Us.” “Race Matters.” “Prophesy Deliverance.” By Author W.E.B. Dubois: “The Souls of Black Folk By Author John Brown Walter Rodney: “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa.” “The Russian Revolution: A View from the Third World.”