Kaleidoscope of Life

How we perceive the world is like looking through then lens of a kaleidoscope. The pattern is ever changing similarly our perspective of the world by our personal life experiences through out our lifetime. My view of understanding and view of the world has evolved over the years thus my positionality simultaneously developed. As health care professions we are meant to use an objective lens when regarding our clients however we cannot be fully objective. In an article by Fergus, Teale, Sivapragasam, Mesina & Stergiopoulos, (2018), the authors worded it well by saying we are not blank slates. In this blog I will explore your positionality as a young student therapist. While reading about my reflections I urge you to also think about your own positionality, think about what factors have created your positionality? Lastly we will look at how it affects the treatment we provide to people that come from different cultures and backgrounds which is present when working in the community context.

I am an Indian female who was raised and practiced Indian culture. These factors of race and gender are simple factors yet have impacted me in how I see the world and what others expect from me. In my experience in an Indian household as a female you are expected to be quite and submissive. Voicing your opinions was seen as a sign of disrespect. Questioning why things are being done in a certain way was also seen as being too bold. The community module has really influenced my understanding of not just accepting things as they are. Now I see the value in questioning why things are the way they are. I consider questioning and evaluating not as attacking an idea but trying to gain more insight into the mechanics of things.

Respecting those older than you in the way you speak to them and address them is something I think we share with the IsiZulu culture. This aspect has helped me in showing respect to I interact with especially in the community setting. Being a young Indian female treating people of different cultures, ethic groups and of different ages has made me approach the method of therapy differently depending on the person. In my experience over the years during practical I have often felt that it must feel strange for older people to treatment from someone younger than them. In my household the notion of older people know better is the case therefore when advising older people during session I would ensure to be respectful to ensure they are willing to participate with therapy and compliant with home exercise programs given.

Although in an Indian household mental health was not taken seriously compared to if you were physically ill or had a broken bone I was fortunate that my mother was more understanding and supportive. The stigma around mental health is a serious issue and not creating a safe space in the home environment can be linked to this. I see the need and importance for educating people on this topic however I see the gaps in that we need to educate the older generation as well for these conversations to be started in the home environment.

I grew up in a family where both parents had active roles in parenting. I think this has also influenced my positionality. During my experience in the community block thus far I have noticed that I cannot relate to the hardship that are faced by most of the single mothers that I interact with. However I feel I am able to emphasize with them. Reflecting about the environment I grew up in I can say now I have lived a very sheltered life. However I attended a primary and high school that was mixed with different ethic groups. My grandparents live in an area that was designated for Indian people that mainly have people from a low seriocomic status therefore I can I have witnessed the hardship however did not experience it. My home for the past twenty two years has been in an area where then main population of people are white. I have experienced what it feels like to be looked down on and seen as inferior. I have also witnessed other being subject to this. I think this has profoundly affected my therapy and interactions with people in the community.

I have seen the effects of substance abuse on the induvial themselves and on their family and friends. Having family and friends openly share their experience of substance abuse has affected how I view those that use substances in the community, especially in Marianridge. I can see how that it is an escape for many due to their situation. This has made me think deeper about the intervention we provide for substance abuse. I often see pamphlets that educate and advise substance abuse on a superficial level that is not effective. I hope that during the following weeks that I am able to run substance abuse groups that are meaningful to the youth in the area. Another important population in the communities (both Kenville and Marinaridge) are women that are experiencing domestic violence. My life experience of this has intensely impacted my passion for assisting women. It has shaped my understanding of why these women don’t leave the abuse relationships. However during this block I hope to further develop my skills in being able to assist these women.

It is important to consider your positionality when assessing, treating and developing programs in the community. Without considering you positionality the treatment provided will not be effective. When assessing a patient something that you would take for granted might be something the patient does not have access to (eg. Water, electricity).

I value the opportunity of being able to go into the community setting and immersing myself in this environment. Being on this block with a group of amazing diverse women has further influenced my positionality. I would like to think that through being exposed to different environments and interacting with people of all walks of life I will grow as a person.

Links that will assist in developing an understanding of your positionality:

1. https://www.nature.com/articles/s43586-022-00150-6
2. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-web-violence/201805/know-thyself-how-write-reflexivity-statement
3. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1609406919870075

References:

1. Fergus, K., Teale, B., Sivapragasam, M., Mesina, O., & Stergiopoulos, E. (2018). Medical students are not blank slates: Positionality and curriculum interact to develop professional identity. Perspectives On Medical Education, 7(1), 5-7. doi: 10.1007/s40037-017-0402-9
2. PettyJohn, M., Tseng, C., & Blow, A. (2019). Therapeutic Utility of Discussing Therapist/Client Intersectionality in Treatment: When and How?. Family Process, 59(2), 313-327. doi: 10.1111/famp.12471