Reference no: EM131999512

Question: Read the posts of your peers and respond to at least two. Did they propose strategies that address the micro, meso, and macro levels? How were the strategies in your advocacy plan similar and different from those of your peers? Do you have recommendations for your peers?

Part 1: The Goal of Social Justice and its Relationship to Multicultural Counseling and Therapy

The need for social justice advocacy strategies among counselors has increased in professional practice. Addictions professionals are called upon to act as social justice advocates in multicultural settings (Laux, DuFresne, Dari & Juhnke, 2017). The need for social justice advocacy has gained dominance with the need to address systems of oppression that impede the client's development. My worldview challenges me to engage in competent practice to initiate fundamental change within political, social, cultural institutions, neighborhoods in schools. As an addictions professional, I am better equipped to expand social justice advocacy as a framework by executing a balanced outlook in multicultural counseling and therapy (Simons et al., 2017). My locus of control requires me to strive for a higher degree of self-direction than is typical of my daily life. I also need to maintain a balanced perspective that solicits support from different stakeholders to manage different situations.

Part 2: "Challenges in Resettlement and Adaptation of Muslim Refugees" within the Workplace

I realize the need to infuse advocacy competencies in counseling practice when resettling and adapting Muslim refugees. The prevalence of oppression for Muslim communities and its negative impact on career development may increase rates of depression and low self esteem. The oppressive economic, political, and social conditions may drive the community further into addictive substances (Sue & Sue, 2015). The inequities require a concerted effort from counselors to address environmental barriers to the personal and social development for Muslim communities. The addictions professional has to promote social justice for the refugees at national and international levels through culturally competent counseling practices.

As an addictions professional, I realize the need to change systems rather than individuals. Oppression of the Muslim community exists at the individual level through discrimination and stereotypes, at the sociocultural level through societal norms, and at the institutional level through rules and policies (Ratts & Hutchins, 2009). Multicultural counseling and therapy is an essential counseling intervention strategy that takes place across these three levels. Identifying potential allies within the workplace to confront the barriers will help challenge the dominant systems of operation.

References: Laux, J. M., DuFresne, R., Dari, T. & Juhnke, G. A. (2017). Substance use assessment instruments: 13 years later. Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling, 38(2), 115-124.

Ratts, M. J. & Hutchins, A. M. (2009). ACA advocacy competencies: Social justice advocacy at the client/student level. Journal of Counseling & Development, 87, 269-275.

Simons, L. et al. (2017). The value of certification in the era of licensure: An exploratory study of professional identity development in alcohol and drug professionals. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 35(2), 130.

Sue, D. W. & Sue, D. (2015). Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and practice, 7th Edition. John Wiley & Sons