Individuals experience the world from different lenses: our unique life experiences shape the way we develop our personal and cultural identities. It is important for counselors to look at models of cultural identity development to understand where their client lies in the development of their own identity. Additionally, it is integral for the counselor to be able to reflect on their own lived experiences and the reported experiences of their clients in a way that fosters compassion when interacting with clients who have experienced prejudices, microaggressions, and intentional or unintentional bias or discrimination.
Respond to the following in a minimum of 175 words:
Using a model described in the text, how would you describe your cultural identity development? Give an example of a common microaggression toward your culture that might occur in the context of a client session. How can counselors become more mindful to avoid microaggressions toward clients who share your cultural identity? How might you adapt your approach to be more respectful while working with clients who culturally identify differently from you?