Client Culture

Written by Maria Maceira

    Introduction

  1. Defining Client Culture: Comparing different definitions of culture

    1. Webster’s Dictionary definition
      culture : 5
      1. the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon man's capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations
      2. the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group
      3. the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes a company or corporation
    2. State department of Mental Health (hand out on cultural competency)
    3. Your definition of client culture
    4. What do you think are the characteristics of Client Culture?
    5. What do we have in common?

  2. Client Culture: Impact upon Quality of Life / Oppressive Mechanisms

    oppression:
    1. something that oppresses especially in being an unjust or excessive exercise of power
    2. a sense of being weighed down in body or mind
    1. diagnosis/labeling
    2. medication
    3. hospitalization
    4. societal/familial stigma
    5. economic impact
    6. housing
    7. feeling different
    8. culturally incompetent services
    9. forced treatment

  3. Client Culture: Empowerment

    "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?"

    Society only recognizes the rights of people when they stand up and speak in one voice.
    1. Self-Help
    2. Advocacy and Support
    3. Education
    4. Alternative Mental Health Services
    5. Political Activism

    How do we, persons who have been labeled or diagnosis with a mental illness, impact the mental health system? i.e. state mental health and county mental health staff, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, etc.

  4. Client Culture: History of The Client Movement

    1. The beginning; how it came about
    2. Present day
    3. Hopes for the Future

  5. Client Culture: Personal Experiences

    culture shock :
    a sense of confusion and uncertainty sometimes with feelings of anxiety that may affect people exposed to an alien culture or environment without adequate preparation
    1. Impact of Client Culture oppressive mechanisms on quality of life; cultural shock
    2. Personal Empowerment
    3. Steps to Success


"When I dare to be powerful - to use my strength in the service of my vision then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid."
Audre Lorde