Eva Lowery Core Competencies 4 Core Competency 4

Eva Lowery Core Competencies 4

Core Competency 4 �Engage diversity and difference in practice

Practice Behavior 4. 1 � Recognize the extent to which a culture’s structures and values may oppress, marginalize, alienate, or create or enhance privilege and power. � I had a client that was raised in an environment where everyone in the house used drugs. So in her mind, she has always believed that was the way to live. Over the years, this lifestyle has caused oppression for her.

Practice Behavior 4. 2 �Gain sufficient-self awareness to eliminate the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse groups. �One of our clients warned that if she continued with her deviant behavior she would not get her three children back. Well, the client’s response was, “I’ll just have three more children. ” When she said that I became infuriated and had to conceal my personal thoughts and opinion.

Practice Behavior 4. 3 �Recognize and communicate their understanding of the importance of difference in shaping life experiences. � In the program, we recognize the clients with rewards for doing well in the program. We also ask them to stand up and speak about their personal experiences of what they have been through and how they got to where they are today. By doing this, clients are encouraged and gain trust and comfort from other participants.

Practice Behavior 4. 4 �View themselves as learners and engage those with whom they work as informants. �In the program, we have Recovery Day. It is a meeting that includes speakers, open mic, and food for all the participants. Its similar to a reward day, because all participants are recognized for there work and are praised for their effort. Dr. Brooks was one of the speakers, who also use to be an alcoholic. His speech was awesome. The participants were able to learn from him since he, too, had struggled with addiction.