Page 290 - Microaggressions in Everyday Live Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation

264 microaggressive impact on mental health practice

Table 12.1 (Continued )
THEMES MICROAGGRESSION MESSAGE
A therapist’s nonverbal I am incapable of
behavior conveys homonegativity, yet I
discomfort when a am unwilling to explore
bisexual male client is this.
describing a recent sexual
experience with a man.
When he asks her about
it, she insists she has “no
negative feelings toward
gay people” and says it
is important to keep the
conversation on him.
Myth of Meritocracy A school counselor tells a People of color/
Statements that assert that Black student that “if you women are lazy and/or
race or gender does not play work hard, you can succeed incompetent and need
a role in succeeding in career like everyone else.” to work harder. If you
advancement or education don’t succeed, you
A female client visits a
career counselor to share have only yourself to
her concerns that a male blame (blaming the
coworker was chosen for victim).
a managerial position
over her, despite the fact
that she is better qualifi ed
and has been with the
company longer. The
counselor responds that
“he must have been better
suited for some of the job
requirements.”
Pathologizing Cultural A Black client is Assimilate to dominant
Values/Communication Styles loud, emotional, and culture.
The notion that the values and confrontational in a
communication styles of the counseling session. The
dominant/White culture are therapist diagnoses her
ideal with Borderline Personality
Disorder.
A client of Asian or Native
American descent has
trouble maintaining eye
contact with his therapist.
The therapist diagnoses
him with a Social Anxiety
Disorder.

(Continued )

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