Identity Development Model

Chapter 11 - What were your reactions to learning about racial and cultural identity development? Pick one of the identity development models in the textbook that MOST challenged your assumptions or beliefs. Write about why it stood out to you and how it has impacted your ability to counsel people within its identity population.
I understand now more about oppression and about racial and cultural identity. This has come true for even myself. I am learning about my own culture and what my ancestors when through. I have found it difficult at times to understand how people can treat other people. I have started to take things personal at times. It amazes me how white men took the land away from the American Indians as though they were animals. The racial/cultural identity development model was very helpful for me to read because I think we do put every race in the same box. All people are not the same. That includes white people. Culture plays a big part in people no matter what their race is when counseling.
1.
Therapist may often respond to culturally diverse clients in a very stereotypic manner and fail to recognize within-group or individual differences
2. The strength of racial/cultural identity models lies in their potential diagnostic values.
3. The acknowledgement of sociopolitical influences in shaping identity.
I feel the counselor needs to respond to their client in a specific way that is in line with the culture and race of each client.
It is important to meet the client where they are.

Chapter 12 - Create a case study of yourself. Describe how you were raised and the values and experiences that have shaped you. Then write about where you are now. Keep a stage of identity development in mind as you write it, but don't say what stage you're in.
I was raised in a home with my father and mother wan 4 siblings. We were not very wealthy but we managed to make ends meet. My brother and one sister were within three years of age from each other and about the same size, which meant that we shared clothes. My two older sisters were the same way. It was difficult as a child at times but we always had food. My grandmother and grandfather played a huge role in my life. They grew a large garden each year and canned enough food for all their children and
grandchildren.
I was taught to respect my elders and obey the rules of the house. I know at times I did not do that very well, but I did learn why I should respect my elders and obey the rules do to the consequences. I did not always like the consequences but I learned from them. I have found over the years that I am grateful for the values I was raised with. My family were all Christians and church goers. I was raised in the Christian faith and again found these values I am grateful for. While I was in school we had no diversity. There were no people if any color in any of the school I went to. I know my grandparents called people of color, coloreds. I never took it that they were being racial, that was what they were taught. My family was poor but we were not as pour as some others. My family did pass down clothes and food to others that were worse than we were.
My grandmother was ½ American Indian but I always wondered why she didn’t tell people that? I now wonder if she was afraid of what would happen in the community if she did. Was she afraid she would be an outcast in her community? In those days that was not thought of in a good way.
Today I have taken the opportunity to claim my heritage. I am not ashamed to say I am American Indian. I have come to realize that I need to be mindful of other race and cultures. I want to be the type of counselor that is open to all my clients. I do want to learn about my client and their values and culture. I also want to be able to take up for other people race/cultural beliefs.