Multicultural Counseling: The Gift that Keeps on Giving
“I am always perceiving personal and cultural values in the contexts my clients find themselves.”
In my grad school program, I would look around the room as the only Latina in my cohort and recognize that my bilingual skills were a rare gift. I was on a mission to understand myself as a therapist in a world that sometimes tried to simplify and dismiss the experiences of multicultural individuals. Growing up in Atlanta's diverse neighborhoods, I was already aware that everyone had their own unique perspectives. My neighborhood friends had parents from all over the world, each with their own culture, languages, values, and beliefs. This upbringing taught me from very early on to appreciate and understand the gift of multiculturalism.
When I stepped into the professional world, I soon realized that my employers didn't know what to do with me as someone that came from two worlds. I didn't fit into their molds. They were taken aback by my ability to speak multiple languages fluently, and my colleagues often underestimated my leadership potential. I was once even told that I didn't "talk like a Latina" by a fellow co-worker and it felt so invalidating. But what if they knew that the way I spoke was not how I used to speak? What if they knew that I underwent a process of assimilation that all immigrant and first generation populations underwent? Would they have understood that my lack of accent and grammatical errors was, in fact, a common experience for people like me? Would they see that my assimilation was in fact a gift of resilience and my ability to adapt? Maybe not. But I could. So I knew that I could also see the same in others that needed this to be validated.
So, I decided to take my skills to school and become the leader I needed to see in the professional field. As a therapist, I provide a safe space for those who may feel like they don't belong in traditional models of society. I help them navigate their emotions and thoughts, and support them in discovering their own path. My own experiences have given me a unique perspective, allowing me to connect with individuals from all walks of life. It's an honor to use my skills to help others find their way. One of my most helpful hidden strengths is that I am always perceiving personal and cultural values in the contexts my clients find themselves. And it has been my greatest gift to offer to client’s who desire this nuance in their personal lives and in their relationships. To them, I say bienvenidos.
