How to make a culturagram

Assignment: Multicultural Case Study: Part Two

This week, you will interact with three case studies. The case studies include working within a mental health counseling office with an individual client; a private practice office with a couple or family; and in a school counseling setting. (Note: You will complete each case study but only focus on one case study for the Activity.) As you meet your client, consider your own identity and how your identity may impact the counseling relationship. Finally, consider the issue(s) the client(s) brings to counseling, and explore multicultural counseling skills to work ethically and effectively with your client(s).

Throughout the case study, you will be asked a few questions. You will not be assessed on your responses to the questions but, instead, are required to take time to thoughtfully answer each question.

Focus on just one case study. Then, write a 2-page APA paper including the following:
Identify at least one similarity and difference you have compared to the client(s) in the case study. Reflect on how these similarities and differences might impact the counseling relationship.
Consider at least two multicultural concepts or counseling tools you learned from the Learning Resources during Week 9. How does this concept or counseling tool impact your multicultural competence?

"Multicultural Case Study: Jayla" Program Transcript

Instructions

You are a school counselor at a middle school in a suburban school district just outside of a major city in the south. The school currently has a population that is 85% African American, 7% Hispanic, 5% White, and 2% Asian American. The other four middle schools in the district all have student populations that are 90% White. In addition, 40% of the students at your school are on free or reduced lunch.

This is in stark contrast to just 10 years ago when the same school had very different demographics: the population was 90% White, 7% African American, and 3% International, Asian American, and Hispanic. Ten years ago, only 10% of students were on free or reduced lunch.

In spite of the student demographic shift, the teaching staff has not change much, being currently 90% white, compared to ten years ago, when it was 97% white.

The school district is a top 10 performing district in the state and is growing rapidly as families continue to move to the area in light of rapid industrial growth. However, the middle school lags behind other middle schools in the district in achievement and has the highest discipline referral rate in the district.

You have worked with Jayla off-and-on over the past two years. Jayla is a 13-year old African American student. She earns exceptionally high scores in her math class with Mr. Hudson. Mr. Hudson referred her to counseling. As your counseling session begins, Jayla is seated in an empty classroom with tables, chairs, a whiteboard, with microscopes and textbooks on bookshelves behind her.

Decision 1

JAYLA: Mr. Hudson made me come here even though it’s his fault. He called me ghetto! I can’t believe he would say that to me. He’s such an old white guy. Does he even know what ghetto means?! And then he tells me to come here! He should be coming to see you since he has issues.

Decision 1 - How would you begin? Choose A or B

Response A: COUNSELOR: You’re pretty frustrated with Mr. Hudson.

Response B: COUNSELOR: It sounds as though Mr. Hudson said a really hurtful comment. I’d like to hear more but before we get started, I want to check in since it’s been several months since I’ve seen you last.

Decision 2 - What would you say? Choose A or B

Response A: © 2019 Walden University 1

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"Multicultural Case Study: Jayla" Program Transcript

COUNSELOR: As you might remember, I come from an approach where I recognize there are many different parts to each person. I try my best to recognize how each person might be influenced by all these different aspects to your identity, including race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, etc.

Response B: COUNSELOR: Great. Typically, in counseling, a student comes to me and shares their problems, and I listen and try to help.

Decision 3

COUNSELOR: It sounds like you’re familiar with confidentiality. So, tell me, from your perspective, what happened with the incident with Mr. Hudson?

JAYLA: Okay, so first, Mr. Hudson doesn’t get it. Yesterday, I was talking to Chris, Donya, and Maleka when the bell rang, and we were in our seats just talking waiting for Mr. Hudson to start class. And, he comes over to us and starts talking down to us. He called Chris ‘boy,’ which really got Chris mad. Chris stood up and told Mr. Hudson that saying ‘boy’ is offensive and Mr. Hudson laughed! He actually said, ‘Calling you boy isn’t offensive. I don’t see color and treat all of my students exactly the same.’ He actually said that!

Decision 3 - How do you continue? Choose A or B

Response A: COUNSELOR: That sounds very hurtful. It seems like you and your friends’ identities were ignored.

Response B: COUNSELOR: It seems like Chris was taking that comment personally when Mr. Hudson didn’t mean anything by it.

Decision 4 - How do you continue? Choose A or B

Response A: COUNSELOR: It seems like you’re making a lot of assumptions about Mr. Hudson.

Response B: COUNSELOR: What a scary situation! You’re really worried about Chris and it sounds like there might be some underlying racial tensions.

© 2019 Walden University 2

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"Multicultural Case Study: Jayla" Program Transcript

Decision 5 - How would you respond? Choose A or B

Response A: COUNSELOR: Well, that doesn’t sound very nice. But that doesn’t sound like a racist comment to me.

Response B: COUNSELOR: “That comment sounds very hurtful. It seems like you weren’t understood. Also, Mr. Hudson is in a position of authority as your teacher so there could be some fear behind your words.

Conclusion

COUNSELOR: Jayla, thank you for sharing this with me. You have been working incredibly hard in math and are very passionate about it. It’s important that you’re able to continue growing in math and I’d like to support you with continuing as an honors math student. It sounds like that is an important focus in counseling.

Additionally, you’ve shared several concerns related to racism with Mr. Hudson. As a school counselor, I am an advocate for you and your classmates. I’d like to make changes in our school to help support students and provide a safer space for students to thrive to their fullest potential.

JAYLA: Thanks for listening. I want changes to happen so that I can grow and thrive, and my friends can too.