Hi everyone,
I would like to ask a question which is probably mostly applied to Americans. In fact, most therapists are natural-born white middle-class Americans. They work with clients of all backgrounds: natural-born ethnic minorities, religious minorities, immigrants, lower-class, etc.
What do you think, preferably from your own experience: is that important for the sucess in treatment to be seen by the therapist of your own background? I mean, do the therapists in general know the cultural differences between various groups of clients, and take them into account? And can you establish good rapport with the therapist of the different racial/ethnic/religious/ect group, especially if there was historical changes between two groups?
For me, I would not like to be treated by the Russian Ametican therapist. First, I had noticed a positive side of tha language barrier: there are some things I will never say in Russian, but can say in English. Second, I had never belonged to Russian community in the US, for many reasons. Finally, being in interracial marriage, I know the negative attitude of many Russian Americans have about it.
However. As a part of my trauma is related to the discrimitation against Hebrow people in home country, I would be feeling more open with the therapist who belongs to a minority group, for example black or Latino. Also, since our family based on Latin American family values, I would like my therapist to be familiar and accepting with them, rather thatn saying "you are being oppressed by a husband".
But what are the experiences of the Forum members in this aspect? It is especially interested to hear from those who belong to minority groups.

I have had a big problem with counseling where I am because I don't have access to the counseling I need. Instead I was referred to a man that is hispanic, and he has insulted me several times, and I wasn't even seeing him as a counselor yet. I was told that I need to be more tolerant of different cultures. My attitude is screw culture, you don't insult your clients. He's not too fond of me either as the last time he insulted me I told him once more and I'll report him to immigration. I figure he wouldn't be angry over that IF he was here legally.

Anyone here in the US likely understands that issue, I'm sure.

I disagree, strongly. Please don't make such assumptions.



As to Linda's original question, I'm comfortable having differences from my counselor. He and I are of the same race, but different socioeconomic classes and very different religiou backgrounds. I am completely unaware of whether we share political or philosophical viewpoints, but he is not critical of mine, which is what means the most to me. I feel free to express my thoughts respectfully.

What Kers said, about the quote above.

um... sorry, but that's just plain xenophobia. i don't mean that you have to like him to be politically correct, but you take it too far.

it sort of brings me to the same state than hearing that people with ptsd leave their partners because they have ptsd and want to shut them out, and there's no chance that they just don't want them anymore, met someone else, or want to be alone to party. you make it sound like he's rude because he's hispanic, leaving no window open to consider that maybe he's rude just because he is, or because you're rude to him too, or many other factors.

i'm not saying that it's ok that he insults you. but being hispanic myself i can't just let you go around thinking that all hispanic people are rude and illegal immigrants and not call you on it.

yes, what you said sounds like you think that. if you don't, please clarify.

vera

HI everybody, and thank you for responses.
CJ, I do not think you are right about "Anyone in the US understands this issue". From my experience of communiczting with Hispanic people (I am married with a Latino man and have many Latino friends), I concluded that Hispanic culture is pretty acceptant and tolerant toward others. My extended family includes people of many races and ethnicities (actually - from Germans to Nigerians ), and I had never seen an avidence of prejudice between them.
Also, I do not think it is appropriate to report him to INS. Probably there are professional organisations dealing with such cases as malpractice in therapy and all that.

Vera, I think you had misanderstood Cactus Jack. From his post, I learned that his therapist is a rude person and probably does not have appropriate skills to work with people, but not that he is rude because of his origin.
By the way, you wrote you are Hispanic... Where are you from?

One of the best counselors I ever had was African American with some hispanic too. I am white. So no. I don't think it matters. I think what matters is whether or not they're good at what they do... And your attitude towards race. If you got a problem you can't get past, they can't help you.

Vera and Morgan - well said!!!

We're all human beings!!!!

Hodge, of course we are, however I think culture matters. Just think of this: there are things which may be normal for one culture and abnormal for another one. There are even some culture-related disorders.
I think the therapist should definetely be aware of the client's background. For me, it is not a problem to work with therapist of a different race, ethnicity, religion, etc (actually, gender is the only thing I have strong preferences about). It is however understandable if one wants a help from the person coming from the same group, especially if we are talking about minorities.

I swore I would not touch this posting since the original really is dripping with racism honestly and hard to figure out what angle to approach this from. If you make assumptions about a certain group of people and do stereotyping based on ethnicity or birthplace... It is called racism. It sounded like to me Linda you are making assumptions people would not understand the "culture". Considering you are in America, this country is a melting pot of cultures and takes understanding from everyone everywhere. This is not Russia, there are standards here and if they were not followed these people would be out of business. I would even go as far as to think maybe Russians who moved here may be leaving behind exactly what you did, Russian life for American. And since you stated you have never belonged to a Russian community here then you can't say you know otherwise can you?

I will agree based solely on what CJ said it was not immediately apparent his issue was the man was Hispanic. It did however show he has anger issues and with PTSD out of hand some horrible things can escape our lips if someone is jacking with us. Is that PTSD based or just being racist? Don't know, only CJ can tell us. Plus we did not hear the whole story.

I am just wondering where is it really racist and what is triggering in the PTSD sense? I mean I could understand where Linda is coming from if this was a trigger being she is from Russia, then it isn't just a race thing. I could understand CJ if this was PTSD out of hand and/or his perpetrator was Hispanic... There are too many other factors that could be at play here and the stories are not being complete.

Like a woman who was here briefly a while back. No idea what her background or race was but she was triggered by black men, if I recall right she was attacked by a black man. See that is not being racist, it is a trigger of PTSD symptoms and I would seriously doubt she could ever make through one counseling session with a black man. Your triggers have to not be set off right out of the gate if you want a chance to get your triggers under control.

So after being long winded... If we were a normal group of people discussing this CJs and Linda's statements would be horrible. Since we are not "normal" and PTSDers and we all have different triggers there are a lot of other factors that need to be considered and worked on from there.

Not defending anyone or their ideas, just putting some alternative ideas out there to kick around with it.