1)Working with a pregnant client who is also using substances would be enormously complex and difficult. The primary way that a pregnancy would impact my approach to treatment is that I would be far more heavily invested in working with the client’s PCP and OB/GYN. I do believe that a team approach is idea whenever working with a client with substance abuse problems, but I think within that team-approach model there is room catch one another, so if a client stops listening to the therapist, the doctor can step in and take a lead role, or vice versa. If the client is pregnant, however, I feel that there is very little room to have this type of catch/ fall system in place because the health of the baby is so important. As a counselor, in all honesty I would have a difficult time working with this population. My son was born via emergency C-section due to a heart condition detected late in my third trimester. Fortunately, my son is fine now, but his birth and the first few months of his life were very frightening and upsetting. Working with a pregnant woman who was abusing a substance, both of us knowing that in doing so she was risking the health of her child may well trigger too much countertransference for me to be able to ethically work with her. Personally, my best course of action would be to refer her to a counselor who was more competent than I.
2) Being an advocate for a client mean that I recognize that client’s place in society and actively speak to and against any bias or intolerance in his or her life. I think the primary role of a therapist is to be able to whole heartedly accept and embrace a person in his or her entirety, and putting aside judgment for that person. Being an advocate, however, goes a step beyond this and brings to the surface the unspoken hurt and oppression that comes with being part of a minority group. For me, it is fairly easy to bring up issues of sexual or race discrimination and to try to offer a place in therapy to voice that experience. It is more difficult to embrace the role of advocate for a person who has caused harm to others, such as a pedophile or abusive man. These individuals may still need an advocate voice in therapy, and I think it is my responsibility to provide it, but personally it is much more difficult to do. One might argue that there is a difference between being an advocate for someone who has been a member of an oppressed group verse someone who has made poor choices, but when it comes down to it I think that as a therapist it is my job to treat them both with respect and open heart.
3) The first website I reviewed is for Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual &Transgender Issues in Counseling at: http://www.algbtic.org/
I thought this was a very well put together web site that was visually interesting without being overbearing, and was simple to absorb and navigate. Personally, I really enjoyed being about to download a copy of the competencies, which were worth my time for a quick review. Likewise, I was really impressed by the wealth of information and additional resources available under the transgender section, and thought it was a very complete expression. One criticism is that I was unable to search for therapists listed in a state by state directory, and it seems like the link has been somehow dislodged. Pity- I was curious to see if any of my practicing friends in other states were listed.
The second web site I visited was for Gay Parenting magazine at: http://www.gayparentmag.com/
I chose this page because I have traditionally worked with parents a great deal, and thought that this might be relevant for my work. Sadly, I was disappointed with the page as a resource. That is not to say that the magazine itself isn’t very good- I may very well be- but as a web resource this page had very little to offer. Mainly, it was simply a way to sell the product of the magazine (available thought the web page as a digital download for $1.99 a copy). I also had extensive “directory” section, which was nothing more than advertisements. Overall, I would not recommend the web page as a resource, but would still be interested in reviewing the magazine itself.
The third page I reviewed was for SoulForce at: http://soulforce.com/
I was very impressed by this page, and will keep in in mind as I more forward in my work. The organization is a Christian Gay Right advocacy group that preaches “relentless nonviolent resistance. “ It is led by Rev. Dr. Mel White, who speaks in a video that pops up when the home page is open. Rev. White is personable, funny, clearly very intelligent, and very well spoken about the cause. The web page itself was very well designed, and instantly made me want to explore further. I was most impressed by the social media page, offering links to a wide variety of social media including Tumblr, Instagram and Twitter. I think that I would use this page in working with any LGBQ client or family member who was trying to resolve spiritual disharmony regarding homosexuality.
Finally I reviewed the March of Dimes webpage at
http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/alcohol-and-drugs.aspx
There is a wealth of information about the organization and the work of bringing healthy babies into the world. The webpage itself is very well set up, is easy to navigate and is generally user friendly. I was particularly impressed by the link to the Spanish version of the page, which made all the information instantly assessable in another language. I spent most of my time reviewing the pages regarding pregnancy and substance use, and found the page to have quick information as well as an easy to watch and very personable video. For me personally, I dislike sources that repeatedly state that no amount of alcohol is safe for a pregnant woman. This is a feminist issue in my eyes. The science around this issue is often over-stated, which as a woman, I find offensive. I like this article to explain what I mean:
I know- this really doesn’t have much of a place in an addictions class- but I think that it does speak to the issue of advocacy.
Addiction Blog 