Co-creating Culture Through Relationship with Individuals of Asian Indian Origin

Abstract

The applications of relational theory to clinical social work practice with individuals of Asian Indian origin are discussed in this chapter. Developing culturally attuned practices with this population requires recognizing the importance of a number of issues, including interactions between individual identity and group and family identity; roles and impacts of extended family and intergenerational relationships; challenges related to immigration and acculturation; and the influences of religious and spiritual beliefs on clients’ values and worldviews. Relational theory offers practitioners a framework and strategies for engaging with their Asian Indian clients around these issues, particularly when the practitioner feels a dissonance with her own assumptions and values about family, identity, and personal growth. Through a case example of working with a gay-identified Asian Indian man, the importance of self-reflection, taking a not-knowing stance, and compassionately engaging with feelings of disconnection to help the client transform his relationships with self, family, and cultural identity will be illustrated.