Problem: Can you sum this up?
Sensitivity to diversity issues and the meaning that the client gives to situations provides a framework for a positive working relationship. When developing relationships, it is important to deal directly with diversity variables (Thompson, Cole, & Nitzarim, 2012). For many clients, having a worldview similar to that of the practitioner is more important than differences, such as age, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, education, and physical differences. However, for some clients, obvious differences between the practitioner and client may be a barrier to developing an empathic relationship (Hayes, Owen, & Bieschke, 2015). Language differences present significant challenges even if the client speaks the same language as the practitioner. In the United States, slang words and phrases can vary from one region to another as well as from one generation to another. "Gay," "bitch," or "suck" can be used in multiple ways acceptable to some and not to others depending on the meaning a particular group gives to the word.
If the client is using a second language rather than his or her native language, he or she may not be fluent enough to express how he or she feels. This is further compounded when English is the second language for the practitioner as well. Language differences will obviously influence the nature of communication and perhaps the ability to understand each other either. When language differences exist, it is particularly important to frequently reflect or summarize. After hearing the summary, the client can be encouraged to correct any misunderstandings. This process may need to go both ways, so that the practitioner also asks the client if he or she has understood what the practitioner said.
When your clients are from a different ethnic group, age, gender, religion, or physical ability, it is particularly important to express empathic understanding (Siegel, 2010) and give the client an opportunity to correct any misunderstanding. Even if you share some common background, the meaning of experiences may be different for client. For example, conveying that you understand the challenges of someone who has a physical limitation that you yourself have not experienced can be challenging. The client may think "How can you possibly understand when you have never faced this difficulty?" A possible response is to agree that you haven't faced the difficulty and ask the client to help you understand by sharing how he or she feels about the difficulty and the challenges it presents. When clients are obviously from a different race or socioeconomic background, they may wonder if the practitioner is able to understand them. It is helpful to ask clients to give examples of what they have experienced. You might say:
"I hear that you feel angry about the struggles you have faced. I'd like to hear more about those struggles."
"You seem sad about how you were treated. I'd like to hear more about what happened."
"I can see how troubled and very sad you feel about your child's illness. I'd like to hear more about what this experience has been like for you."
Your goal is to understand how your clients feel, what they experienced, and what meaning that experience had for them. For example, if you have a situation in which your client looks concerned and is wringing her hands, and she says, "I've never talked this much with a white woman, but I guess it will be okay." Your observations might lead you to say, "I can understand that it might be hard to talk with someone like me. Let's begin by talking about what it is like for you to be talking to me." Verbally reflecting feelings, content, and/or meaning helps clients know that you do "get" who they are and what they have experienced and that it's safe to talk about what they have experienced.
As you have learned in this chapter, when clients feel understood, they are likely to continue talking about their situation and further explore their challenges. The next practice exercise focuses on expressing understanding by reflecting feelings, reflecting content, reflecting feelings and content, summarizing, and exploring meanings. Using these skills will encourage your clients to explore their situation more fully. You will also evaluate your ability to appropriately express warmth and empathy. An evaluation scale is included to help you specifically identify how well you demonstrated each quality. When doing the practice exercises, you may find that you are so focused on using new skills correctly that you do not express as much warmth as you would naturally express. As using professional skills becomes more natural for you, expressing warmth will become easier and begin to feel more authentic. Need Assignment Help?