Broaching the Subjects of Race and Other Intersectional Identities and Sources of Strength/Oppression During the Counseling Process: Introduction to Special Issue

Chapter 2 presents the variables that constitute cultural identity. These include ethnicity, age, developmental stage, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, cultural background, migration status, language(s), religion/spirituality, family composition, geographical environment, and social class. It highlights the intersections of identity, and identifies how mental heath professional can accurately assess a client’s identity, and focuses on incorporating the client’s identity with all its intersections into the counseling process.