Abstract
This chapter reflects on the author’s experiences working as a cultural consultant with immigrants, refugees, Aboriginal peoples and other marginalized individuals, groups and communities in varied settings, including community centres, churches, schools, homes, libraries, clinics, and the divan. The mental health consultant often meets clients during moments of acute vulnerability, where they may be least responsive to outside intervention preferring to rely on themselves even when only limited resources are available. The chapter underlines the importance of validating the client’s marginalized self and embodied cultural competence as an essential step in building an alliance. Clinical vignettes illustrate how healing and transformative experiences can be facilitated when individuals and groups see themselves treated with respect and without judgment. As an immigrant and female of African descent, the author’s identity is usually an asset in the clinical encounter with patients from marginalized groups. Shared affinities can allow clients to move past feelings of mistrust, building an effective alliance, helping clients to reconnect with problem-solving resources, and find solutions. The consultant’s most important role, however, is bearing witness with compassion and humility by simply listening respectfully as individuals and groups tell their stories in their own way at their own pace.
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Wint, S. (2014). Community Consultation and Mediation with Racialized and Marginalized Minorities. In: Kirmayer, L., Guzder, J., Rousseau, C. (eds) Cultural Consultation. International and Cultural Psychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7615-3_9
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