Clinical Mental Health Counseling Case Scenario
Mia, a 34-year-old marketing professional, recently moved to the United States from South Korea. She is struggling with feelings of isolation and cultural adjustment. Mia’s supervisor notices a decline in her work performance and recommends her to the employee assistance program (EAP). Mia, unfamiliar with counseling, is hesitant and expresses concerns about being perceived as “weak” for seeking help. The EAP informs Mia that you, as a mental health counselor, can help her navigate these challenges, improve her well-being, and enhance her professional and personal life. Additionally, Mia communicates primarily in Korean, posing a language barrier in the counseling process.
Select three questions to address in your discussion post as it relates to your chosen scenario.
What cultural factors should be prioritized when working with the client?
In what ways do acculturation level and language proficiency influence the dynamics of the counseling relationship?
Considering both cultural commonalities and distinctions, how might the client perceive you as their counselor?
Reflect on your potential biases toward the client. How could these biases potentially affect your counseling work?
How would you go about gathering information on the prevalence of mental disorders, and what factors would you take into account when reviewing these rates?
How do you envision assessment practices as tools for dismantling barriers and ensuring fair and inclusive outcomes for individuals, especially considering potential biases within the process?
