Week 5 Assignment

COUN 6723: Mini–Case Studies

Sue & Sue, Chapter 16, “Counseling Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders”

Background

Jia is a 21-year-old Asian American female. She immigrated to the United States from China at a young age. Her family worked very hard to save money to send her to college. They have sacrificed a great deal for their daughter, and they expect her to become a surgeon. She is the only child. Jia’s parents own a small grocery business in her community. Her parents do not speak English. She is pursuing a degree in medicine but has discovered that she is a very talented artist. Jia loves painting. She spends much of her free time painting and attending art shows. She has neglected her studies. If Jia’s family were to find out about her poor grades they would be deeply shamed.

Presenting Concern

Jia has decided to come to counseling because she feels she needs academic guidance. She shares that she has not been doing well in her classes this term because she feels very tired. She reports experiencing headaches and stomachaches. Jia went to see the doctor, and he suggested seeing a counselor. She was reluctant at first, but decided that it might be a good idea to seek assistance to improve her study habits.

MCFC Students Review the following:

Background

Jia and her parents Lin and Kim immigrated to the United States from China when Jia was 3 years old, 18 years ago. Lin and Kim worked very hard in their family grocery business to save money to send Jia to college. Lin and Kim expect Jia to study medicine to become a surgeon. Jia is pursuing a pre-med degree, but has discovered she is a talented artist. She is spending much of her free time painting and attending art shows and has begun to neglect her studies. Lin and Kim recently reviewed Jia’s winter semester grades and are ashamed of her falling grades.

Presenting Concern

Jia is home for winter break and her parents insisted that the family go to counseling to “Get to the bottom of Jia’s problem.” Lin is angry and feels that his hard-earned money is being wasted and that Jia is bringing shame to their family. Kim is somewhat supportive of Jia’s interest in art, and attended Jia’s last art show. Jia is experiencing headaches and stomachaches and is unsure how she will move forward in the spring semester. She has not registered for courses and is considering taking a break from school. Jia is currently staying at home over winter break and Kim is glad to have her back. Lin has told Jia that she will not be welcome at home if she decides not to return to school in the spring.

Sue & Sue, Chapter 17, “Counseling Latinos”

Background

Alberto is a 47-year-old Mexican American. He’s been married to his wife for 27 years, and they have 4 children. Alberto recently lost his job. His wife does not work, and he has no desire for her to get a job. Alberto feels it is his responsibility to provide for his family. His wife wants to work and help the family, but he “forbids” it. His wife was offered a job, but Alberto would not allow her to work. The tension is growing in his household because they have very little left in their savings. The couple has spoken to their priest about the stress, and their priest referred them to counseling.

Presenting Concern

Alberto and Angela decided to speak to a counselor about their situation. Angela attempted to explain the concerns to the counselor, but Alberto cut her off. He stated that the only reason he came to counseling was because his priest said it would be good to talk to a neutral party, but he doesn’t want someone to tell him how to run his household. He thinks this “counseling thing” was a waste a time.

MCFC students review the following

Alberto and Angela, a Mexican-American couple, present in marriage counseling, because they have strong disagreements regarding Angela going out to find a job, since Alberto has been let go from his full-time job as a landscaper. The landscaping company laid off many workers, because the demand in the immediate area had decreased sharply. Angela has never worked outside of the home, as she has stayed home with the 4 children since their birth. Angela communicates that she believes that she needs to find a job, as they are likely to lose their home, if she does not. Alberto states that it is not a “wife’s job to work outside of the home.” Angela states that it is a “wife’s job to do whatever helps the family.” They share that they have spoken with their priest, but all that he said was to keep praying for a positive outcome.

Presenting Concern

Alberto and Angela have decided to speak to a counselor, because they believe that praying has not helped their situation. Angela attempts to explain her concerns to the counselor, but Alberto, continually interrupts, and states that he is the one who knows most about what is right for the family. He states that since engaging in prayer has not worked, he thought speaking to someone neutral might help. However, he states that the couple is not here to be told to change how they run their lives, and that he hopes counseling is not a “waste of his time.”

Sue & Sue, Chapter 18, “Counseling Individuals of Multiracial Descent”

Background

Jordan is a 14-year-old high school freshman. He is a bright student and has always maintained a high GPA. This last year his grades have dropped tremendously. He is failing most of his courses. Jordan lives with his mother, and he sees his father on the weekends. His mother is Puerto Rican and African American and his father is Caucasian. This year he started high school in a new district. The student body is predominantly white. He is the only multiracial student. Jordan is having difficulty “fitting in.” He spends most of his time alone in school. Jordan skips class frequently, and his mother describes his behavior has “moody.” The school principal contacted the family to express her concerns, and she recommended family therapy and individual therapy for Jordan.

Presenting Concern

Jordan grudgingly comes to his first session. He sits down in the chair and crosses his arms. He answers your questions with one-word responses. Jordan makes limited eye contact. You attempt to engage him with questions about his interests. You ask him a question about his friends, and he angrily responds, “I don’t have any friends. No one wants to hang around with someone like me. I’m not black enough, white enough, or Puerto Rican. I don’t know what I am.”

MCFC students review the following

Background

Jordan, 14, presented with his mom, Felicia, 34, for family counseling. Jordan primarily lives with his mother and sees his father on weekends. Felicia called the community mental health center, because Jordan’s grades are falling, and she believes it is due to many reasons, but primarily, thinks it might be due to Jordan being “out of place” in a predominantly White school. She describes herself as being Puerto Rican and African American. She shares that Jordan’s biological father is Caucasian. Jordan and mom share that Jordan is not fitting in, and mom shares that she does not want Jordan to fail in school, as she wants him to have the “right start.”

Presenting Concern

Jordan appears reluctant to come to counseling, whereas mom appears happy to share all that is going on at home and in school. Felicia shares how Jordan was such a happy child, but now appears angry and withdrawn. Jordan only shares when the counselor asks him direct questions. The only time that Jordan expresses emotion is when the counselor asks about friends, and he snaps “I don’t have any friends because I am not White.” Felicia appears to echo Jordan’s anger by stating that Jordan is not in “the in crowd” because he is “mixed.”

Sue & Sue, Chapter 20, “Counseling Jewish Americans”

Background

Fran is 35-year-old single Jewish American female and a successful professor. She is well published and renowned in her profession. For many years, Fran has expressed her concerns with her department chair regarding the scheduling of classes. Many of the classes at her university are scheduled during the weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), and often the classes are scheduled during major Jewish holidays. Students are required to attend all scheduled days to earn full credit for the class. Through the years she taught classes during the Jewish holidays, but has grown tired of the lack of consideration. Fran finally put her foot down and decided not to teach during Yom Kippur this year.

Presenting Concern

Fran decided to come to counseling to address some of her concerns. During the session, she expresses feelings of disrespect by the administration and her colleagues. Fran tried to address her concerns during a faculty meeting, and one her colleagues thought the best resolution was just to schedule her classes during “her holidays.” Fran is hurt by the lack of sensitivity from her colleagues and for the Jewish students who attend the university. She states, “I’ve never had to teach on Christmas or Easter.”

MCFC students review the following

Background

Fran is a 35-year-old single Jewish American female and a successful professor. She is well published and renowned in her profession. Fran lives with her 65 year old mother, Sarah, and her 15 year old niece, Rebecca. Fran adopted her niece upon her sister’s death 10 years ago. Rebecca’s relationship with Fran is strong; however, Rebecca began dating a boy at school last month and has started staying out past her 7 pm week night curfew. Sarah recently (within the last month) moved in with Fran and Rebecca after a period of chronic illness. Sarah’s health is currently stable; however, she relies on Fran for housing and financial support. Fran is worried about Rebecca and feels as though their relationship is growing more distant. In addition, Fran is concerned with how her department chair is scheduling classes. Many of the classes at her university are scheduled during the weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), and often the classes are scheduled during major Jewish holidays. Students are required to attend all scheduled days to earn full credit for the class. Through the years, Fran has taught classes during the Jewish holidays, but as grown tired of the lack of consideration and the impact it is having on her family. Fran finally put her foot down and decided not to teach during Yom Kippur this year.

Presenting Concern

Fran asked Sarah and Rebecca to attend counseling with her to help ease the transition of their new living situation and the stress Fran is experiencing at work. During the initial session, Fran shares her concern for their family and the level of change they have undergone in the last 6 months. Rebecca rolls her eyes as Fran shares that she is feeling more distant from her niece. Rebecca says “Aunt Fran is just overprotective because I’ve started seeing Jacob- it’s really unfair that I have to come to these sessions!”

Related to her work stressors, Fran expresses feelings of disrespect by the administration and her colleagues. Sarah is disgusted that her daughter is experiencing this at work and suggests that Fran “just find a new job!”