Gail Holmewood

“They deported my brother because they say he is economic migrant not political refugee
Huh! They know nothing about how they treat gypsies in Central Europe. But what do you know? How can you help me?”

In this essay I will describe the client and my reactions to the client. What are power, rank, oppression, minority, racism, diversity, prejudices, and worldview? How I will work in anti- oppressive way. What I can offer this client. What difficulties I envisage. Conclusion. ,
An economic migrant is someone who comes from the EEA, and who makes a voluntary choice to leave their home country and seek work else where. They have a legal right to travel and to work in different countries within the EU. A political refugee is someone who flees from a stat or country or regime because their political views leave them in danger of persecution even death so that they flee to a friendly nation for protection.

My client is a 22 year old Eastern European Caucasian male. He is of average height, has dark brown eyes and short jet black hair. His clothes of jeans, a sweat shirt and trainers are of a shabby appearance and he emits a strong unpleasant body odour. His spoken English is quite good although at times it is not always clear, so I feel that I will have to do a lot of clarification with him. At this stage I do not think it is necessary to have an interpreter, but should I deem it necessary at any stage for the benefit of my client and treatment outcome I will have one. Having an interpreter does at times bridge the language and cultural gap, even though it may not be the ideal communication medium. It can also have a negative effect for the client, the therapists is not trained in the use of interpreters, unskilled interpreters in counselling, difficulty for client to express themselves. He presents as being angry, agitated and confused by his brothers situation.

My first reaction was that of the empathy for him, as he was unclean, shabbily dressed, obviously has very little monies and was very agitated. I do however have some prejudices in as much that I was brought up to understand that all gypsies where rogues, never to be trusted as they would nick everything and even come back for your eyelashes. There is also a lot of talk that they have come here and exploited our benefit system, taken our housing, and are involved in criminal activities. We are overloaded with immigrants already so why should Britain be the flood gates for anymore. Gypsies are minority ethnic group and legally protected under the race relations act, so discrimination against them is unlawful. Public bodies have a duty to promote the racial equality, but many inequalities still exists. They experience high levels of discrimination and 2 Gail Holmewood

prejudices. Gypsies are Romany ethnic groups whose ancestors migrated from India from the 10th century and then mixed with Europeans and other groups. “Roma” is used to describe European Romany speaking groups who have come to England from Eastern and Central Europe. It is important that individual gypsies and traveller families are able to decide themselves whether the self define “Gypsy”, “traveller” or some other definition. Although the groups have different histories and traditions, there are some common customs and all face discrimination and prejudices. The family is extremely important to gypsies and a source of great pride. Extended families support and look after one another. Religion is of great importance to many gypsies in terms of their daily lives and through rituals and gatherings. Large numbers of Romany gypsies are now born again Christians. They find love and solidarity in the church and meeting up with others across Europe at large Christian conventions. There is much evidence of severe and continuing discrimination in education, health, employment and contact with the Criminal Justices system (CRE 2003). This undermines gypsy’s ability to live alternate lives and to access services equally, (CRE 2004). Great Britain is still like the American Deep South for black people was in the 1950’s. Discrimination against gypsies appears to be the last (“Respectable form of Racism.”) Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality.

Racism involves the belief in racial difference, which acts as a justification for non-equal treatment, (which some regard as “discrimination” of members of that race. The term is commonly used negatively and usually associated with race-based prejudices, violence, dislike, discrimination or oppression. The term can also have varying and contested definitions. Racialism is a related term sometimes intended to avoid these negative meanings.

The term worldview is used to refer to the common concept of reality shared by a particular group of people, usually referred to as culture, or an ethnic group. Worldview is an individual as well as a group phenomenon. Worldview is a term for what is called cognitive culture. This is the mental organisation in each individual mind of how the world works. Expression of commonality in individual worldview makes up the cultural window of the group. This leads to social culture, the way people relate to one another in daily activities and how they co-operate together for the good of the group as a whole called the society.

Minorities in all regions of the world continue to face serious threats, discrimination, and racism, and are frequently excluded from taking part fully in the economic, political, social, and cultural life available to the majorities in the countries or societies where they live.

Oppression “The social act of placing severe restrictions on an individual, group or institution. Typically, a government or political organisation that is in power places restrictions formally or covertly on oppressed groups so that they may be exploited and less able to compete with other groups. The oppressed individual or group is devalued, exploited and deprived of privileges by the individual or group which has more power”. (Barker, 2003)

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The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect; these can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, social economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. It is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment. It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance, to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions, or diversity contained within each individual.

What is power? Power is the primary definer of leadership. The dictionary defines power in four inter-related ways. Firstly it is the ability or capacity to perform or act effectively.
2) It is a specific capacity, faculty, or aptitude.
3) Power is a strength or force exerted, or capable of being exerted.
4) It is the ability or official capacity to exercise control or authority.
The first two definitions represent personal power that is an inherent part of a person. The second two represent the use of power through a position. Power is a condition of both being and doing. We bring certain power relationships into the therapy room with us, and discover certain power relationships already there, created by the nature of the work. Signifiers of rank are gender, ethnicity, class, age, income, sexuality and able bodiedness. Difference in rank inflicts many of the emotional wounds which people bring to therapy, and which can also be re-enacted and reinforced in the therapeutic relationship. “Whether you earned or inherited your rank, it organises much of your communication behaviour” (Arnold Mindell 1995), and this with visual information about gender, ethnicity etc, enables people very quickly, accurately, consciously or unconsciously, read each other’s relative rank with all its implication for relative power. How does this client seem me? A white western subordinate female, does this give him the upper hand or so I think. Unconsciously I may claim no superiority of rank or power over this client, unless I recognise the social reality that I have a far higher rank than him, and bring awareness to how this affects our experience of each other, the therapeutic relationship will be damaged from the start. In general when counsellor and client share similar though not identical views, communication between them is likely to be clear. However, when differences exist, counsellors can full prey to making negative judgements about their clients concerns, behaviours, perceptions, attitudes, and values. Communication breakdowns occur not because people use different vocabularies or languages to discuss the same constructs, but because they use different structures of reasoning that stem from their philosophy of life, world view, or belief system.

As I previously said, my first thoughts where that of empathy for this client but because he is a gypsy and for me to be able to work with this client I must be aware of my prejudices. Because of my thoughts that he is like the gypsies I have always been taught about, is he actually telling me the truth about his situation. How can I first get over these feelings in order to help the client? Firstly this client is an individual, I must be aware of my own and clients world views, and philosophy of life. I must not culturally stereotype him. Respect his culture, religion, and his strong family connections. He is in a strange country/culture; English is his second language and the difficulty of expressing himself. I must be aware of 4 Gail Holmewood

my whiteness and its impact on the therapeutic relationship. How does my client see me? Maybe he sees me as a subordinate female? Does he feel he have the upper hand. The way I can help my client is to overcome my prejudices. To be able to work with and a long side other agencies such as the (ECRE) European Council or Refugees and Exiles etc. To gain more knowledge of transcultural counselling: and working with interpreters and bi-cultural workers, overcoming racism, discrimination and oppression within the counselling process, cultural, social, linguistic and political knowledge, awareness and skills. I will explain to my client how therapy works, as this may be the first time he has experienced therapy, and what he can expect from me as his counsellor. Combined with transcultural counselling I will work to the theoretical orientations of the person-centred approach, that of empathy, unconditional positive regard, congruence, listen skills. And also existentially in acknowledging my clients values, world views, cultural environment, family history, religion etc working towards goals, and establishing clear boundaries, respecting my clients autonomy. To work to the (BACP Ethical Frame work). And to seek supervision.

Pitfall as I see it is whether I may have the appropriate transcultural skills. Difficulties of working with a translator and how they convey my clients true feelings. Transference in that of way of my own feelings, and beliefs my worldview as I see it. My power, and rank the impact this may have within the therapeutic relationship.

Conclusion: To have a greater understanding of transcultural counselling, thus an understanding of my clients and my own worldviews, and philosophies of life. To be aware and reflect on my own prejudices, how this may impact the therapeutic relationship. How I may be able to work through them. To reflected on the power and the privilege that I hold in my role as a white therapist.
“These days, the world (in the shape of a client) can come in our interviewing room”.