Becoming a Helper

1
Becoming a Helper

• Chapter 3 7

2
Family of Origin

• Family of origin (FoO) serves as a blueprint for
  our life and how we view the world
• Establish what is normal and abnormal
• Includes culture but is unique and specific
• Family of Origin Work
• Process by which helpers explore their family of
  origin and become aware of how it has impacted
  their idea of normal behavior

3
Areas where FoO has an impact

• Structure of the family
• Who is considered family
• Blood/step/or adopted relatives only
• Fictive Kin (play cousins)
• Who lives in the household
• Parents Children only
• Adult Children?
• Adult Siblings?
• In-Laws?
• Where do people sleep?

4
Areas where FoO has an impact

• Styles of Interaction
• Open Conflict
• One parent caregiver
• e.g. caring mother/detached father
• Courtesies expected
• First name basis
• Sir or Maam

5
Areas where FoO has an impact

• Way of dealing with deviation
• Punitive
• Controlling
• Estrangement
• Acceptance
• Denial

6
Understanding Diversity

• Tolerance
• Ability to accept beliefs and ideas that are
  different from your own without judgement
• Intolerance
• Refusal to accept different beliefs and
  negatively judging those based on their different
  beliefs
• ARE YOU TOLERANT OF INTOLERANCE?

7
Healthy Cultural Suspicion

• Must address it with your clients
• Regardless of your demographics you are part of
  the system (the man)
• Must not alienate your clients due to cultural
  suspicion

8

• As a helper you are the most important tool that
  you have. Like any other tool, you may not be
  appropriate for all situations, but for those
  situations for which you are appropriate you must
  strive to be the best tool possible.