Understanding the Multi-Faceted Role of Counseling in the Impoverished - Sally W.
At present more than 50 million Americans are living in poverty according to statistics released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Although counselors typically receive training on cultural diversity, this basic consciousness does not necessarily result in a proper understanding of what it entails to live in severe poverty. Despite being typically constructive, most training courses for counselors do not cover the important socioeconomic barriers that are prevalent across the world. Due to this, the average counselor often does not possess the necessary know-how when comes to dealing with patients living in poverty. It is imperative that counselors not only understand the impact poverty has on the psyche but also know how to tailor their interactions accordingly.
The dire impact of living in poverty
Apart from encountering countless obstacles that hinder basic survival, living in poverty can also result in a number of secondary concerns that can render therapy substantially less effective. Common concerns stemming from poverty include mental illness, substance abuse, and chronic illness. An individual living below the bread line may, for example, have contracted asthma due to living in a mold-infested room. As a counselor, it is important to not only address the emotional trauma experienced by the patient, but also the individual's physical living situation itself. If the room is filled with bacteria or mold, it is critical to consider how the patient can get their asthma treated and rid the room of the dampness that caused the respiratory distress.
The importance of meeting basic needs
When a person has to constantly worry about where their next meal is going to come from, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to make themselves emotionally available or counseling. Before traditional counseling can commence it is important that a patient’s basic needs are met. A lot of people living in poverty are of the belief that they are being let down by current systems that do not make provision for their basic needs. It is important that counselors are not only sensitive to these needs but try to help meet them as well. Many impoverished individuals live in absolutely horrible circumstances that include limited access to food, clothing, and shelter. While counselors may not have the means to improve the living conditions of a patient themselves, they can help facilitate the necessary assistance to improve the patient’s quality of life significantly.
Counselors need to fulfill various roles
A counselor will often take on various roles that far exceed traditional therapy and that may include, but isn’t limited to vocational training, transport, case management, and assistance with the acquisition of student loans. As difficult as it maybe it is important for a counselor to remain actively involved and focused on finding solutions to the concerns of the patient. Apart from offering guidance, a counselor can further enhance healing by helping a patient identify their own strengths and helping them build on it. Expanding on someone’s strengths is not only an effective way of providing much-needed hope but improve overall well-being as well.
Being a counselor is not an easy task by anyone’s standards. By making the effort to understanding the effects of poverty better it will, however, become increasingly easier to assist those who need it the most.
The dire impact of living in poverty
Apart from encountering countless obstacles that hinder basic survival, living in poverty can also result in a number of secondary concerns that can render therapy substantially less effective. Common concerns stemming from poverty include mental illness, substance abuse, and chronic illness. An individual living below the bread line may, for example, have contracted asthma due to living in a mold-infested room. As a counselor, it is important to not only address the emotional trauma experienced by the patient, but also the individual's physical living situation itself. If the room is filled with bacteria or mold, it is critical to consider how the patient can get their asthma treated and rid the room of the dampness that caused the respiratory distress.
The importance of meeting basic needs
When a person has to constantly worry about where their next meal is going to come from, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to make themselves emotionally available or counseling. Before traditional counseling can commence it is important that a patient’s basic needs are met. A lot of people living in poverty are of the belief that they are being let down by current systems that do not make provision for their basic needs. It is important that counselors are not only sensitive to these needs but try to help meet them as well. Many impoverished individuals live in absolutely horrible circumstances that include limited access to food, clothing, and shelter. While counselors may not have the means to improve the living conditions of a patient themselves, they can help facilitate the necessary assistance to improve the patient’s quality of life significantly.
Counselors need to fulfill various roles
A counselor will often take on various roles that far exceed traditional therapy and that may include, but isn’t limited to vocational training, transport, case management, and assistance with the acquisition of student loans. As difficult as it maybe it is important for a counselor to remain actively involved and focused on finding solutions to the concerns of the patient. Apart from offering guidance, a counselor can further enhance healing by helping a patient identify their own strengths and helping them build on it. Expanding on someone’s strengths is not only an effective way of providing much-needed hope but improve overall well-being as well.
Being a counselor is not an easy task by anyone’s standards. By making the effort to understanding the effects of poverty better it will, however, become increasingly easier to assist those who need it the most.
