Corrections_Today_Winter_2025-2026_Vol.87_No.4

MENTAL HEALTH

Expected Outcome: Reduced self-blame increased sociopolitical awareness and enhanced emotional empowerment.

Children and adolescents exposed to these societal stressors often internalize the message that their identity is a liability rather than a strength. This may lead to be haviors such as white-washing or the selective rejection of cultural identifiers (Tummala-Narra, 2015). Clinical implications Brian’s case underscores the importance of address ing identity conflict in therapy, particularly among clients navigating systemic oppression and family trau ma. A culturally responsive approach should include: – Narrative therapy to reconstruct a positive ethnic identity. – Psychoeducation on systemic racism and internalized bias. – Family-based interventions to explore multigenerational trauma. – Peer support from individuals with shared cultural experiences 1. Narrative therapy for cultural identity reconstruction Goal: Help Brian reclaim and redefine his ethnic identity through storytelling that affirms rather than erases his cultural roots. Intervention: Engage Brian in retelling key life expe riences with a focus on resilience, cultural pride and connection. Create a “counter-narrative” that sepa rates systemic rejection from personal value. Expected Outcome: Strengthen cultural identity, increase self-compassion and reduce internalized shame. 2. Psychoeducation on systemic oppression and internalized racism Goal: Provide cognitive insight into how systems of inequality shape identity and self-perception. Intervention: Educate Brian about concepts like structural racism, acculturation stress and colorism. Integrate media, research and reflection exercises to shift blame from self to system.

3. G rief and loss processing through Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

Goal: Help Brian process ambiguous loss, particu larly the emotional abandonment by his mother and the psychological loss of ethnic belonging. Intervention: Use EFT to validate Brian’s pain while helping him identify and regulate core emotions (sadness, anger, guilt). Introduce grief journaling, empty-chair dialogues, or letter writing to estranged family. Expected Outcome: Emotional release, increased clarity around unresolved grief and movement toward forgiveness or boundary-setting.

Mental health providers must center cultural humility, trauma-informed practice and identity safety as pillars of treatment.

4. Identity affirmation through peer-based support Goal: Normalize Brian’s experience by connecting him with others who have faced similar identity conflicts. Intervention: Refer Brian to culturally specific sup port groups (e.g., Latinx recovery circles, community centers) where he can explore his identity in a non judgmental space.

Expected Outcome: Improved sense of belonging, peer validation and reduction in self-isolation.

Corrections Today | Winter 2025-2026

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