The Case of Susan: Susan is a thirty-five year old African Canadian woman. Her home country in Africa has been embroiled in civil war for twenty years. Two years ago, her husband was killed in a guerrilla attack. Concluding that her country would never find peace, she immigrated to Canada six months ago with her three children (ages fifteen, thirteen, and ten). The children have been acting out aggressively at school bringing them and their mother to the attention of the school counsellor. The counsellor has recommended and arranged for Susan to attend counselling with you, a private therapist. Susan presents with mood swings, feelings of guilt and low self-esteem.

What factors may be contributing to Susan's issues? Culture shock, grief loss, lack of money, personal support, parenting skills, employment...Nigrescence theory .. . would ethnic identity be an issue for them? (they could be at any stage of the theory or it may not apply to them at all -- i.e. they already have high salience for race and culture and present issues have nothing to do with this at all) 

What are the implications for counselling? (What are your reactions, assumptions, plans?) 

Assumptions: Being raised in Africa should give them a strong Black identity (because of apartheid, etc. ethnic identity could be a real issue.)

The Case of Bob: Bob is a twenty-six year old single, African Canadian. Two weeks ago, he was arrested after a bar-room brawl. One of the conditions for release stated that he must attend counselling for anger management issues. He has been referred to you. In your first session, he tells you that he was born and raised in Toronto. He moved to Victoria six months ago to join his sister. She is very busy with her husband and children so is unable to give him much support. Bob is unemployed and believes that he has been unable to find work because of his race. He feels discouraged and isolated. You have a hunch that low self esteem may be an issue.

What factors may be contributing to Bob's issues? Transition, unable to find work, loneliness, past issues i.e. growing up in Toronto?, Nigrescence theory: shows signs of internalized racial self-negativity at the pre-encounter phase - low self-esteem or is his self esteem issues related to the possibility that Victoria has shown itself to be a very racist place in terms of hiring procedures?

What are the implications for counselling? (What are your reactions, assumptions, plans?) Possible Assumptions - that Bob was actually in the brawl (he may have been a bystander), that Bob may be violent based on his race, age and the fact that he lived in Toronto and has had negative experiences with the police department.

The Case of Rebecca: Rebecca is a twenty-three year old, black woman. Her family moved to Toronto from Jamaica when she was three years old. She lived there until she finished high school. At eighteen, she left home to seek her fortune in the west. She has lived in Victoria for the past three years. Last year, she lost her government job. Although initially depressed about her unemployment, she soon came to see it as an opportunity and returned to school to pursue a degree in Child and Youth Care. Halfway through her first year, Rebecca's depression returned. As the depression took hold, Rebecca found herself unable to concentrate on her assignments. Her self-confidence rapidly decreased while feelings of inadequacy increased. Fearing failure, Rebecca makes an appointment at the University Counselling Centre. When she arrives, you (the counsellor) are surprised to see that she has died her hair blonde and is wearing a thick layer of pale face make-up.

What factors may be contributing to Rebecca's issues?

Nigrescence theory: pre-encounter phase- showing signs of internalized racist notions, low self-esteem, and weak ego development. Stress related to transition, school demands, missing family, etc.? (may just be the style to die hair blonde or wear white make-up).

What are the implications for counselling? (What are your reactions, assumptions, plans?) Need more information? Explore issues around identity?