Page 281 - Microaggressions in Everyday Live Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation

CHAPTER TWELVE

Microaggressive

Impact on Mental

Health Practice

Years ago, while fulfilling my fieldwork hours as a social casework intern, I had
the unfortunate experience of working with a Black client at the agency. I must
admit that I have worked with very few African American clients and wanted
to treat Peter like everyone else, a fellow human being. I pride myself on being

fair and openminded, so I saw my first encounter with a Black client a test of my
ability to establish rapport with someone of a different race. Even though I ’ m a
White male, I tried not to let his being Black get in the way of our sessions.
At the onset, Peter came across as guarded, mistrustful, and frustrated when talk-
ing about his reasons for coming. While his intake form listed depression as the
problem, he seemed more concerned about nonclinical matters. He spoke about

his inability to find a job, about the need to obtain help with job - hunting skills,
and about advice in how best to write his r é sum é . He was quite demanding in
asking for advice and information. It was almost as if Peter wanted everything
handed to him on a silver platter without putting any work into our sessions.
Not only did he appear reluctant to take responsibility to change his own life, but
also I felt he needed to go elsewhere for help. After all, this was a social service
agency and not an employment agency. Further, I was a clinician, not a job spe-
cialist! Confronting him about his avoidance of responsibility would probably
prove counterproductive, so I chose to use my best clinical skills and focus on
his feelings. I refl ected his feelings, paraphrased his thoughts, and summarized

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