What Does Being an "American" Look Like in the Therapy Room?. (3rd July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gupta, Rohini
• Is Part Of: Smith College studies in social work. Volume 87:Number 2/3(2017)
• Page Start: 137
• Page End: 152
• Publication Date: 2017-07-03
• Subjects: Asian Indian -- countertransference -- cross-cultural counseling -- ethnic identity -- immigration -- minority groups -- multicultural counseling -- multicultural education -- psychotherapeutic processes -- race -- racial and ethnic groups -- South Asian cultural groups -- therapeutic alliance -- therapists -- therapist's characteristics -- transference; Social service -- Periodicals; Social problems -- Periodicals; Dissertations, Academic -- United States -- Abstracts -- Periodicals; 361.3
• DOI: 10.1080/00377317.2017.1324012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0037-7317

Abstract

ABSTRACT: A clinical experience of an Asian Indian therapist working with a client of a similar ethnic background is analyzed. The relational dynamics in the therapy and the impact of a perceived shared identity are examined. Transference and countertransference processes are emphasized. A shared perceived ethnic identity created complexities in the therapeutic relationship and affected the therapy in surprising ways. Assumptions related to a shared ethnic identity affected the ability to form a therapeutic alliance.