# data[].attributes.body
“It’s hard dealing with my best friend, one moment she’s really friendly and the next time I see her she’s totally cold”

What do you think about asking her what’s causing the problem?

“I don’t feel like I can express my emotions at my house, my step dad is always drinking and my mom is always having to clean up after him, if I show anger, they just get angry at me.”

What do you think would help your family better understand your anger? What’s the best case scenario?

” Every moment there is something new to do. There must be ten different things going on at the same time!”

What has worked for you in the past when you feel this anxious?

“I know I need to stop drinking but it’s so hard. I would save a lot of money and wouldn’t have hangovers but I like going out with my friends and the way it makes me feel”

What are some ways you could change things?

“My anxiety is so overwhelming, I can’t sleep, I can’t focus at work or play with my children when they want my attention.  I don’t know what to do”

What has worked for you in the past when you feel this way with other experiences in your life? What does your anxiety feel like during these times?

# data[].attributes.headline
Cultural Considerations Brainstorm to identify cultural groups that draw my interest: I explored connections that I am aware of such as churches. I am aware several who provide a meal and free daycare while members attend a group entitled Celebrate Recovery. I have never attended but have heard of individuals overcoming addictions to alcohol and drugs. Several churches offer bible studies to children and I have volunteered several years at a church and/or taken children to Vacation Bible Study at various churches and enjoy children.  Harriet Tubman is an agency that works with women involved in domestic violence. A friend who worked at our halfway house years ago has created an agency called Crossroads Panorama. She is graduate of St. Mary’s and works with youth and theatre to teach healthy communication skills. She has written several books and has one focused on children and anti-bullying. I attended a book signing at Crossroads yesterday.  I have also visited Youth and Aids Project (YAP), which is an extension from the U of M educating on HIV/AIDS and provides essential services to youth, education in schools and outreach into the community ensuring youth have a place to call home, receive medical care for HIV/AIDS, and ensure education and prevention of spreading the disease is instilled. They also visit and update doctors, medical staff, and senators at the state capital on best practices, changes and ensure they stay current information to ensure funds are provided and enlarged to continue the work they are doing.  -Meg

# data[].attributes.subject
Cultural Considerations Brainstorm to identify cultural groups that draw my interest: I explored connections that I am aware of such as churches. I am aware several who provide a meal and free daycare while members attend a group entitled Celebrate Recovery. I have never attended but have heard of individuals overcoming addictions to alcohol and drugs. Several churches offer bible studies to children and I have volunteered several years at a church and/or taken children to Vacation Bible Study at various churches and enjoy children.  Harriet Tubman is an agency that works with women involved in domestic violence. A friend who worked at our halfway house years ago has created an agency called Crossroads Panorama. She is graduate of St. Mary’s and works with youth and theatre to teach healthy communication skills. She has written several books and has one focused on children and anti-bullying. I attended a book signing at Crossroads yesterday.  I have also visited Youth and Aids Project (YAP), which is an extension from the U of M educating on HIV/AIDS and provides essential services to youth, education in schools and outreach into the community ensuring youth have a place to call home, receive medical care for HIV/AIDS, and ensure education and prevention of spreading the disease is instilled. They also visit and update doctors, medical staff, and senators at the state capital on best practices, changes and ensure they stay current information to ensure funds are provided and enlarged to continue the work they are doing.  -Meg

# data[].attributes.headline
Hi Rosa, The first concern you mention was “I tend to worry about whether I am making the proper intervention.” I have found that many times in the helping profession the best gift you can do is listen to a person. If you genuinely listen and allow them to share their needs, you will receive direction on what area(s) need addressed. If someone is sharing concerns and it is important it will come up several times until it is resolved. Sometimes a concern for a client may take many approaches and the first thing may not work but can be a continued learning experience. I find it helpful to connect with other individuals of diverse backgrounds helpful. Working with individuals who may have differing values or culture can be a fun experience.  I have friends who come from many culture backgrounds and we discussed on length our faith in God (which differs), our values, hopes, and what we cherish. I was involved in a group project for a presentation and a member of my group brought food before we presented. Five group members coming from various cultures sat and ate out of the same container with forks, laughed and ate like some families do. If we can view from the lens of God and see the human being behind the values and culture, we can touch the heart. -Meg

# data[].attributes.subject
Hi Rosa, The first concern you mention was “I tend to worry about whether I am making the proper intervention.” I have found that many times in the helping profession the best gift you can do is listen to a person. If you genuinely listen and allow them to share their needs, you will receive direction on what area(s) need addressed. If someone is sharing concerns and it is important it will come up several times until it is resolved. Sometimes a concern for a client may take many approaches and the first thing may not work but can be a continued learning experience. I find it helpful to connect with other individuals of diverse backgrounds helpful. Working with individuals who may have differing values or culture can be a fun experience.  I have friends who come from many culture backgrounds and we discussed on length our faith in God (which differs), our values, hopes, and what we cherish. I was involved in a group project for a presentation and a member of my group brought food before we presented. Five group members coming from various cultures sat and ate out of the same container with forks, laughed and ate like some families do. If we can view from the lens of God and see the human being behind the values and culture, we can touch the heart. -Meg

# data[].attributes.headline
Kelsey,The two common concerns you shared are the same as mine. Over identifying with a client’s problems can drain a person if they allow it. I liked what you shared to work through this concern by giving resources. I find it helpful to refer clients to others such as churches, staff, organizations that may be instrumental and have more expertise to fulfill their needs. I recall a great board member frequently brought baby clothes to our pregnant mother’s, several stores donated brand new clothing that had been returned. I have come to realize resources are available and clients feel better when are a part of finding how to accomplish a goal. Secondly, the culture and value concern is something that I have learned to embrace. It is important to me to have a positive attitude, good outlook on life and share the golden rule which includes inclusiveness. I have learned a lot from others which has made me a much wiser, compassionate, and empathic individual. Sometimes fear of the unknown can be a challenge but worthwhile to explore. I was invited to People’s Republic of China in May with the International Scholar Laureate Program and Phi Theta Kappa, so I am looking forward to this adventure. Attaining a visa is one of the next things on my lists of things to do. -Meg

# data[].attributes.subject
Kelsey,The two common concerns you shared are the same as mine. Over identifying with a client’s problems can drain a person if they allow it. I liked what you shared to work through this concern by giving resources. I find it helpful to refer clients to others such as churches, staff, organizations that may be instrumental and have more expertise to fulfill their needs. I recall a great board member frequently brought baby clothes to our pregnant mother’s, several stores donated brand new clothing that had been returned. I have come to realize resources are available and clients feel better when are a part of finding how to accomplish a goal. Secondly, the culture and value concern is something that I have learned to embrace. It is important to me to have a positive attitude, good outlook on life and share the golden rule which includes inclusiveness. I have learned a lot from others which has made me a much wiser, compassionate, and empathic individual. Sometimes fear of the unknown can be a challenge but worthwhile to explore. I was invited to People’s Republic of China in May with the International Scholar Laureate Program and Phi Theta Kappa, so I am looking forward to this adventure. Attaining a visa is one of the next things on my lists of things to do. -Meg

# data[].attributes.body
Common concerns:

The two common concerns that jumped out at me would be, “I sometimes worry that I may over identify with my client’s problems to the extent that they become my problems and “I am concerned about working with clients who values, and culture are different from my own.”

The assumptions I have regarding over identifying with a client would be of concerns that I may over focus on a client taking it home with me after work hours. As I look back at working at a halfway house on weekends, I would receive phone calls from previous clients who wanted to talk, and I automatically learned to manage my time by setting limits of 15 minutes for phone calls, as many times they would ruminate, and the conversation would no longer be successful.  Many times, the clients became a close-knit group and much like a family, so I communicated those needs such as: baby clothes, cribs, new living arrangements etc. to board members, staff and churches, so that everything was not my responsibility or concern. I realized they had needs that I identified with and wanted them to be successful, so I provided resources wisely, so as not to drain me out. I was vested in their success and yet, allowed them the opportunity to talk, learn and grow.

The assumptions around clients with values and culture different than my own are something I always want to be aware, so that I don’t show bias. Many of the clients in the halfway house came from various ethnic groups and backgrounds, and I enjoyed the different food specialties they shared, and many times made. The agency ran as a Christian halfway house, so it was expected that I would share my faith in God.  I believe my faith in God is my compass on how I attempt to treat people with dignity and respect. I am reminded that my family raised two children from another country who didn’t speak English, came from a different religion and culture and we are still very much connected.