Counseling and Advocacy with Multiracial Clients
Conference Strand
Identity Formation
Abstract
Multiracial individuals (e.g., multiple heritage, biracial, mixed-race) experience unique identity developmental processes as compared to individuals living with one racial/cultural identity. Although no single identity development model captures these experiences, common threads include identity confusion, social experiences, and environmental, family, and peer influences. This presentation will review themes, identity development processes, and effective counseling and advocacy strategies.
Evidence
: Henriksen, R. C., & Paladino, D. A. (Eds.) (2009). Counseling Individuals, Couples, and Families with Multiple Heritages. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
Paladino, D. A., & Davis, H., Jr. (2006). Counseling and outreach strategies for multiracial college Students. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy. 20(3), 19-31.
Aldarondo, F. (2001). Racial and ethnic identity models and their application: Counseling biracial individuals. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 23(3), 238-255.
Deters, K. A. (1997). Belonging nowhere and everywhere: Multiracial identity development. Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, 61(3), 368-384.
Fukuyama, M. A. (1999). Personal narrative: Growing up biracial. Journal of Counseling and Development, 77, 12-14.
Root, M. P. P. (1990). Resolving “other” status: Identity development of biracial individuals. In L. S. Brown & M. P. P. Root (Eds.), Diversity and complexity in feminist therapy (pp.185-205). New York: Haworth.
Root, M. P. P. (1994). Mixed-race women. In L. Comez-Diaz & B. Green (Eds.), Women of color: Integrating ethnic and gender identities in psychotherapy (pp.455-478). New York: Guilford.
Root, M. P. P. (1996). The multiracial experience: Racial borders as the new frontier. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Root, M. P. P (1997). Multiracial Asians: Models of ethnic identity. Amerasia Journal, 23(1), 29-41.
Root, M. P. P. (1998). Experiences and processes affecting racial identity development: Preliminary results from the biracial sibling project. Cultural Diversity and Mental Health, 4(3), 237-247.
Root, M. P. P. (1999). The biracial baby boom: Understanding ecological constructions of racial identity in the 21st century. In. R. H. Sheets, R. Hernandez, & E. R. Hollins (Eds). Racial and ethnic identity in school practices: Aspects of human development. (pp. 67-89). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
Root, M. M. P. (2001). Negotiating the margins. In J. G. Ponterotto, J. M. Casas, L. A.,
Suzuki, & C. M. Alexander, (Eds.). Handbook of multicultural counseling (pp. 113-121). London: Sage.
Root, M. M. P. (2002). Methodological issues in multiracial research. In G. C. Nagayama
Hall, & S. Okazaki, (Eds.). Asian American psychology: The science of lives in context. (pp. 171-193) Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Format
Individual Presentations
Biographical Sketch
Dr. Derrick Paladino, LMHC, NCC is a professor of counseling and Cornell Distinguished Faculty at Rollins College. He is a biracial individual that has written a book, book chapters, articles and presented on the issues and strengths related to the multiracial population. He was also a leader on the team that created the multiracial counseling competencies for the American Counseling Association. Multiracial concerns is a dedicated research and clinical area for him.
Estifani Rodriguez earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Rollins College. She is a registered mental health counselor intern and registered marriage and family therapist intern in the state of Florida who currently works as a full-time counselor for folks living with HIV/AIDS. Estifani’s professional experience includes working with survivors of domestic violence, survivors of sexual trauma, college students, and youth involved with the legal system. Estifani is dedicated to serving members of minority, marginalized, and oppressed groups whose access to mental health care is often limited.
Princessa Long holds a Master’s degree in Non-Profit Management and is a graduate in Rollins College Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. She currently working in the Office of External and Competitive Scholarship Advisement. She oversees the Dean’s Scholarship program while doing student scholarship advisement for awards and fellowships. She completed Mental Health Counseling Pre-Practicum with New Hope for Kids. Princessa’s past professional experience includes working with the Department of Children and Families, Volunteer Impact, Orange Country Property Appraiser, and United States Investigative Services (USIS). She has served in the role of Child Protective Investigator, Volunteer Coordinator, Fraud Investigator/ Team Leader, and Investigator/ Field Training Officer. As a biracial individual, Princessa’s primary interests lie in serving multi-cultural counseling, social justice, geriatric issues on aging, destigmatization, and fostering the spiritual needs of clients.
Start Date
2-9-2018 4:00 PM
End Date
2-9-2018 5:15 PM
Recommended Citation
Paladino, Derrick A.; Rodriguez, Estifani; and Long, Princessa, "Counseling and Advocacy with Multiracial Clients" (2018). National Cross-Cultural Counseling and Education Conference for Research, Action, and Change. 22.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/ccec/2018/2018/22
Counseling and Advocacy with Multiracial Clients
Multiracial individuals (e.g., multiple heritage, biracial, mixed-race) experience unique identity developmental processes as compared to individuals living with one racial/cultural identity. Although no single identity development model captures these experiences, common threads include identity confusion, social experiences, and environmental, family, and peer influences. This presentation will review themes, identity development processes, and effective counseling and advocacy strategies.
Description
The Multiracial population is growing (i.e., approximately 9 million individuals according to the 2010 U.S. Census), diverse in nature and these individuals possess racial and cultural worldviews and values that influence their identity development. Multiracial individuals experience unique developmental processes as compared to individuals with one racial/cultural identity. Although no single identity development model can describe the experiences of all Multiple Heritage individuals, common experiences may include identity confusion, microaggressions, alienation, difficulties in social experiences, guilt from choosing one culture over another, and difficulties relating to immediate and extend family and peers. These experiences can be both positive and negative and require sensitivity and certain interventions by counselors. This presentation will meet the following objectives: (1) review historical and social justice issues connected to this population and salient issues and cultural themes, (2) connect with the evolution and current research on multiracial identity development models, and (3) Introduce best practices, effective counseling, social justice and advocacy strategies for the multiracial population.