The Uncomfortable, Taboo and Awkward: Staying Person-Centered and Growth Oriented
Presentation Abstract
Professionals working with diverse populations, particularly adolescents and adults, are often faced with unique challenges and situations that can feel uncomfortable or embarrassing. Maintaining professional and personal boundaries navigating topics such as personal hygiene and toileting, emerging sexuality, religion, politics, bullying, discrimination, gender and sexual identity issues or drug and alcohol use/abuse while remaining person-centered and growth oriented can feel daunting and confusing. Communicating and educating families about these topics, even more so. When confronted with behaviors that call into question our own beliefs and values, how can a helping professional and educator hope to stay balanced, focused and compassionate? What is appropriate for discussion and intervention and how can professionals ensure an unbiased and growth-oriented approach? What is the role of the family and how can a collaboration be formed for maximum effectiveness? What boundaries, if any, exist is doing this kind of “taboo” work? This presentation offers a simple framework for approaching these types of situations ethically and respectfully, and concrete strategies for working with students and their families.
Recommended Citation
Champ, Sarah K. and Morgan, Sara, "The Uncomfortable, Taboo and Awkward: Staying Person-Centered and Growth Oriented" (2019). Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support Conference. 55.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gapbs/2019/2019/55
The Uncomfortable, Taboo and Awkward: Staying Person-Centered and Growth Oriented
Professionals working with diverse populations, particularly adolescents and adults, are often faced with unique challenges and situations that can feel uncomfortable or embarrassing. Maintaining professional and personal boundaries navigating topics such as personal hygiene and toileting, emerging sexuality, religion, politics, bullying, discrimination, gender and sexual identity issues or drug and alcohol use/abuse while remaining person-centered and growth oriented can feel daunting and confusing. Communicating and educating families about these topics, even more so. When confronted with behaviors that call into question our own beliefs and values, how can a helping professional and educator hope to stay balanced, focused and compassionate? What is appropriate for discussion and intervention and how can professionals ensure an unbiased and growth-oriented approach? What is the role of the family and how can a collaboration be formed for maximum effectiveness? What boundaries, if any, exist is doing this kind of “taboo” work? This presentation offers a simple framework for approaching these types of situations ethically and respectfully, and concrete strategies for working with students and their families.
