Reflection
Reflection
1. How does living in a multicultural society impact mental health and its treatment? And how does this relate to the principles of community psychology you have learned about?
Multicultural society is a positive consequence of the globalization of society as a whole. The fact is that every society has its own strict rules, values and prohibitions. And when the different cultures not only exist, but also live together, this has a positive effect on human thinking. In order to get people from different cultures live together, it is necessary teach them treat each other`s rules, values and prohibitions and be more flexible. It is especially necessary to let different cultures interact effectively. As a result, people's thinking becomes more broad and open minded. It is a true fact, that people from different cultures are sometimes like to have some clashes or misunderstandings. However multicultural community diminishes all the differences and people start treat each other equally. If earlier people lived in one culture surrounding and were evaluated according to the characteristics of their culture, then in a multicultural society many cultural things become less important or not important at all. As a result, people become more open, accepting, understanding and tolerant. Thus, multiculturalism has a positive effect on the mental health of the society, including its treatment.
Multiculturalism also has a positive effect on the principles of community psychology. I would like to draw attention to such principles as adaptation, continuity, cycling of resources, and interdependence. Multiculturalism in society is possible just due to adaptation mechanism. Thanks to people`s flexibility, which is an indicator of adaptation, people take multiculturalism as part of their being. Continuity is also a necessary principle for multiculturalism. Despite the fact that in such a society different cultures are blended, each of them needs to have its roots and values evaluated in order to understand the psychology of each person and of the society as a whole. Cycling of resources benefits from the multicultural society. The more differences people have, the more personal and social resources it gives to society. That is about the talents, strengths, values and other aspects of people`s nature. And the fourth principle is the interdependence. Multicultural society is impossible without it. The interdependence shows that despite the difference in cultural background, all people need each other to grow in a friendly and strong society.
In conclusion, it is necessary to say that multiculturalism is very good for people, as they learn how to live together peacefully and with pleasure.
2. Thinking about your own work as a counselor, how might your own values influence your work?
The first value is the respect. I believe that every person deserves respect initially. Therefore, as a counselor, I will be obliged to respect the feelings of each client.
The second value is honesty. Honesty, in fact is the most valuable asset after the goodness. However, it rarely might be met in a tolerant manner. I promise to be honest with my clients in order not to build false illusions in their lives. Nevertheless, I will try not to offend people with too direct honesty.
The third value is the tolerance. Tolerance is needed for people to whom I would advise to make them feel comfortable. This is important, because people turn to a counselor in cases when they feel discomfort in life. Therefore, I will try to be tolerant with the feelings of my clients.
The fourth value is the ability to appreciate time. This is necessary to keep the line between my personal life and consultancy practice. In fact, certain limitations in time often help patients. When a patient is limited in time, he or she tries to be more direct in his/her expressions and stories, which helps him or her to think rationally and manage with overwhelming feelings.
The fifth value is unprejudiced attitude. It is important to understand that everyone is unique personality with a separate life, which has its own peculiarities and unconditional value. Therefore, regardless of gender, race, cultural background and character, I have to treat my patients well and equally. In fact, all the people have equal rights from their birth.
The sixth value is optimism. Optimism is very important for me as a person and as a counselor. I should be optimistic at least in order to maintain a peace of mind during such difficult work as a counselor. In addition, optimism is important to inspire patients, make them confident and teach them believe in the best positive outcome of any situation.
The seventh value of mine is the ability to separate work and personal life. I have already mentioned this quality when wrote about the fourth value, the time. Work and personal life are two separate spheres of my life. And it should be a rule for any counselor. Therefore, any events and drama in my personal life should not affect my working mood and relationships with clients, and vice versa.
3. What hopes and what concerns do you have about your future career as a counselor?
Planning to become a counselor, I certainly have some expectations and hopes for my future career.
I really want to help people to solve their emotional problems and life difficulties. It is a fact that the psychologist does not answer or said true cause of the client`s problem. Everything that a client or patient may receive from the counselor is questions and some hints to let the client think and find the solution himself. Only in this occasion, the thoughts and decisions will be valid for the client.
I met too many people, whose lives are concerned about their problems, which I believe could help solve when being a counselor. Frankly speaking, I would like to go to practice as soon as possible. I expect that my career will be rich on curious issues and diverse. In fact, clients or patients may be quite different and with different life circumstances. Therefore, I will need to learn how to find an approach to each client quickly. Moreover, for a psychologist it is important to feel the customer to be able to understand what is going on with him or her fully. It is essential because people do not always verbalize what they feel when they come to the counselor.
Thus, I expect that my career will be very interesting. Faced with many different people, the counselor figures out how different people, circumstances and life might be. I believe that a counselor career is what I will do well and for the benefit of people.
