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Many clients struggle with lacking a sense of self and a person's sense of self includes their culture (Hays & Erford, 2018). When a client is able to identify where they descended from they contribute to creating a stronger sense of self. Creating a stronger sense of self assists in the exploration and identification of where challenges and distress come from (Hays & Erford, 2018).  Additionally, for a counselor to better understand someone's world view it is important for a counselor to understand someone's culture.

Reference:
Hays, Danica G.; Erford, Bradley T. Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence. Pearson Education. Kindle Edition.
n.a. (2022) Sense of self (Image of man with many choices around him) Living Well Counseling Services https://livingwellcounselling.ca/who-am-i-developing-a-strong-sense-of-self/https://livingwellcounselling.ca/who-am-i-developing-a-strong-sense-of-self/

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One of the most significant developments of European history is the creation of the idea that “Europe” exists as a distinct  region (Baum, 2008). Multiple diverse tribes traveled across European areas, and the powerful Roman Empire assisted in establishing infrastructure to promote successful living environments for many (Hays & Erford, 2018). Subsequently, after the empire's fall, nomadic tribes such as the Anglos, the Celts, the Gauls, the Saxons, and the Slavs all populated the area (Hays & Erford, 2018).
Historically, the most vital aspect of European culture was Christianity (Hays & Erford, 2018). Traits and values such as obedience to the pope, pure christian bloodlines, and active participation in the religion were seen as essential parts of the culture (Hays & Erford, 2018).
The most important part of learning the historical significance of European descent is how this may impact clients. While the past of European descendants is intertwined with experiences of financial issues, religious persecution, and a lack of freedom (Hays & Erford, 2018). It is important to note that sometimes the oppressed can become the oppressors. This is particularly prevalent when a client's sense of self involves the acknowledgement of disparities between people as a problem instead of a difference  (Hays & Erford, 2018).

Reference:
n.a (n.d.) What is the number of what people in the world? (Image of map with population statistics) Quora https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-number-of-White-people-in-the-world
Hays, Danica G.; Erford, Bradley T.. Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence (p. 431). Pearson Education. Kindle Edition.

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map of region w prevalent population of euorpean descent

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Two ideas involved in colonization and immigration are Enculturation and Acculturation (Hays & Erford, 2018). Enculturation is "most clearly used to describe an individual learning the values, attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and rituals associated with one’s  primary culture, typically the culture into which one was born" (Hays & Erford, 2018). However, acculturation is when two cultures are adapted by an individual where both become primary or main cultures. Although in acculturation the individual adopts a second set of cultural ideas, expectations, beliefs, and expressions (Hays & Erford, 2018). Within the development of new and more accepting beliefs around culture, it is now more common to see an individual learning new cultural information based upon their living environment, but still retaining previous cultural information and beliefs (Hays & Erford, 2018).

Reference:
n.a. (2015) Difference Between Enculturation and Acculturation (Image explaining the difference of

enculturation and acculturation) https://pediaa.com/difference-between-enculturation-and-acculturation/

Hays, Danica G.; Erford, Bradley T. Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence. Pearson Education. Kindle Edition.

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Considering the historical significance of the environment of European descendants, it is important to discuss discrimination and oppression (Hays & Erford, 2018). Traditionally, true Americans were viewed as white, and numerous high powered individuals expressed concern over "inferior" Europeans polluting the true American nature and essence (Hays & Erford, 2018). This problematic belief and idea not only contributed to discrimination and oppression, but it encouraged pitting other ethnic groups against one another (Hays & Erford, 2018).

Reference:
UCLA (2016) Discrimination can be harmful to your mental health (image of a hand that includes consequences of discrimination) https://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/discrimination-can-be-harmful-to-your-mental-health

Hays, Danica G.; Erford, Bradley T. Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence. Pearson Education. Kindle Edition.

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The word and label white is used to describe to the larger racial group in the world (Hays & Erford, 2018). While white or Caucasian is identified as a race, it is important to note that race is a social construct (Kaplan & Winther, 2013; Olson & Beal, 2011). Despite race being a social construct, it is very important in society and culture. For example, those who are not white have been given significantly less opportunities than those who are white. Society has labeled white as the dominant and also most prominent group. Additionally, being able to identify and be acknowledged as white comes with many privlieges (Hays & Erford, 2018). Although Caucasian is the label that many white people go by, it is more traditionally known as in fact, an ethnic group of people traditionally from the isthmus between the Black and Caspian Seas" (Hays & Erford, 2018). People who identify as Caucasion have not been considered European by their neighbors. (In fact, many Russian ethnics have referred to the Caucasian ethnic groups as “Black.”) (Hays & Erford, 2018).

Reference:
Franzi (2020). Diverse Faces. (Image of groups of people of different races and cultures). https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2020/08/alice-popejoy-on-race-ethnicity-and-ancestry-in-science.html

Hays, Danica G.; Erford, Bradley T. Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence. Pearson Education. Kindle Edition.

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Terms to note: European American & White American ethnic

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Terms to note: European American & White American ethnic

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Counselors who desire to be culturally competent should ensure they are using the correct terms when addressing clients. For example, European American refers to people who currently reside in the US, but have recently immigrated from or identify with European heritage in values, traditions, and worldviews (Hays & Erford, 2018). As well as the term, White American ethnic means people who European descent who identify ethnically as American as they have adopted the culture of the United States (Hays & Erford, 2018).

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While other groups identify with and often understand their ethnic roots, white people seem to demonstrate minor identification with or understanding of their own racial identity (Hays & Erford, 2018). One of the strongest aspects of American culture is the English language as it dominates social and political systems (Hays & Erford, 2018). Despite the strong push for specific beliefs and practices in the United States, America still labeled itself as a "melting pot" (Hays & Erford, 2018). It is within this label that the Civil Rights movement began as black Americans demanded their culture and race be acknowledged apart from the mainstream culture of white America (Hays & Erford, 2018). As time went on, the "melting pot" idea was replaced with what is now known as multiculturalism which focuses on inclusion and ethnic pride (Hays & Erford, 2018). Although several alternatives have been suggested to replace the phrase "melting pot", the more commonly used term that is all encompassing is a "salad bowl" (Hays & Erford, 2018). This includes the idea of "several different ethnic flavors coexist and add to the overall culinary gestalt while maintaining their own distinct characteristics" (Hays & Erford, 2018).

Hays, Danica G.; Erford, Bradley T.. Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence (p. 438). Pearson Education. Kindle Edition.

Hays, Danica G.; Erford, Bradley T.. Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence (p. 438). Pearson Education. Kindle Edition.

Reference:
Hays, Danica G.; Erford, Bradley T. Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence. Pearson Education. Kindle Edition.

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Mental Health Concerns for Clients of European Descent 

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Mental Health Concerns for Clients of European Descent 

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Ideas such as meritocracy and individualism may result in conflicts from differing values within the culture, and conflicts between personal and cultural values (Hays & Erford, 2018). The support of meritocracy, defined as, all individuals start from a roughly even playing field may offer hope or excitement. However, it can also lead to feelings of inferiority and shame such as not being good enough (Hays & Erford, 2018). This issue often impacts working class white males. This issues impact all socioeconomic classes as middle class people feel pressure from the upper class to earn more money. Additionally, even higher class individuals may still experience this phenomena as they may feel pressure to continue pushing themselves to stay on top (Hays & Erford, 2018).  Individuals who experience this issue may develop irrational or negative coping mechanism such as anger toward others, particularly family members, or over working themselves to the point of burn out to compensate for inferior self beliefs (Hays & Erford, 2018).
Reference:
Hays, Danica G.; Erford, Bradley T. Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence. Pearson Education. Kindle Edition.

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Many white Americans believe that hardship in life is often a sign of personal failure (Hays & Erford, 2018). Therefore, they also believe that asking for help is a sign of weakness. To combat this, many white American families adopt a "no help necessary" policy and they tend to bottle up issues instead of express their emotions and problem solve (Hays & Erford, 2018). When individuals live by a policy of sole independence and do not express their emotions, they often begin to cope with dangerous habits such as self medicating with alcohol or drugs. Furthermore, the use of these methods to cope may lead to addiction issues (Hays & Erford, 2018).

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Counseling White American Ethnic Clients

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Counseling White American Ethnic Clients

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While the White American culture often encourages individualism and socialization of being guarded, it is important to acknowledge the effectiveness of empathy and a non-judgmental environment which therapy provides (Hays & Erford, 2018).

By using these tactics, healing and progress stems from helping clients step outside the limits their cultural norms place on them. Despite the lack of encouragement in engaging in behaviors that the counseling relationship may deem as culturally inappropriate due to the encouragement of multicultural counsleing, there is evidence that engaging in certain culturally restrictive behaviors can have therapeutic effects in certain circumstances, even if they are not comfortable for the  clients (Nitza, 2011).
Reference:
Hays, Danica G.; Erford, Bradley T. Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence. Pearson Education. Kindle Edition.

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The principles of who we are such as our identity, gender, socioeconomic status, generation, geographic location, sexual/relationship orientation,  ability status, and country of origin all encompass ideas of cultural competent counseling ( Hays & Erford, 2018). These diverse and valid identities must be examined before any individual, but also an individual of European descent can be understood. This grasp and opens to understand someone's cultural is a vital component of effective multicultural counseling (Hays & Erford, 2018).