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    BIPOC Mental Health

    August 31, 2022

    BIPOC Mental Health According to the American Counseling Association:   “Black and Indigenous people and other people of color (BIPOC) experience a broad spectrum of ongoing discrimination, oppression, and inequity rooted in America’s colonialist history, all of which foster both collective and individual trauma in those communities.”     The American Psychiatric Association reported in […]

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    BIPOC Mental Health

    August 31, 2022

    BIPOC Mental Health

    According to the American Counseling Association:

     

    “Black and Indigenous people and other people of color (BIPOC) experience a broad spectrum of ongoing discrimination, oppression, and inequity rooted in America’s colonialist history, all of which foster both collective and individual trauma in those communities.”

     

     

    The American Psychiatric Association reported in 2017 that 17% of Black people and 23% of Native Americans live with a mental illness. People who identify as multi-racial are more likely to report any mental illness within the past year than any other racial or ethnic group. According to research performed by the American Counseling Association, BIPOC groups are:

    • Less likely to have access to mental health services
    • Less likely to seek out treatment
    • More likely to receive inferior quality of care
    • More likely to prematurely end services

    These barriers can be attributed to a variety of factors. Examples include cultural stigma around mental illness, systemic racism and discrimination, a lack of health insurance, language barriers, mistrust of mental health care providers, and a lack of cultural competency on the part of mental health care providers.

     

    Since COVID-19, many BIPOC communities have been impacted in numerous ways. According to the Centers for Disease Control, symptoms of depression were reported 59% more frequently by Hispanic adults than non-Hispanic White adults. It was also reported that a larger percentage of multi-racial and non-Hispanic adults of other races and ethnicities reported stress and worry about stigma or discrimination associated with being blamed for spreading COVID-19 in comparison to White adults.

     

    What can you do to help?

     

    Cultural competency and awareness do not occur in a vacuum. According to the American Psychological Association, the following tips can help in building cultural awareness and competency:

     

    • Think outside your own box. We are all influenced by our own values, beliefs, and life experiences. We need to carefully consider how our perspectives affect our understanding of other cultures and avoid making assumptions about others based on our own experiences.
    • Experience culture. Consider experiential ways that you can learn about other cultures and strive to participate in activities that may not be familiar to you. When possible, take part in social, community and educational activities like viewing films, reading books, and attending festivals, parades, art exhibits, workshops, and lectures.
    • Avoid insensitive comments. In group contexts, individuals sometimes make insensitive and hurtful comments about others (e.g., jokes, slurs, etc.). Do not reinforce this behavior. If you feel comfortable doing so, make known your discomfort with what has been said and ask that no more insensitive comments be made.
    • Expand your comfort zone. There are individuals or cultural groups with whom you do not have experience working or socializing. Acknowledge this challenge and try to learn as much as possible about the individual or group so that you can build your confidence and bolster your outreach. Ask questions to make it clear that you want to learn more.
    • Listen carefully. Hearing is not always listening. Our own perceptions, biases and expectations sometimes make it difficult to listen to and comprehend both overt and covert messages. Be mindful to focus on and identify the information being conveyed.

     

    Claudia Coxx, LMSW , is a psychotherapist specializing in depression, anxiety, and BIPOC mental health at Marsh Psychology Group.  She can be reached at ccoxx@marshpsychologygroup.com or 248-860-2024.

     

    Filed Under: Anxiety, Depression, family

    What is Emotional Incest?

    January 25, 2022

    Many of us grew up in households that were dysfunctional, where boundaries between parents and adults were blurred in unhealthy ways. Emotional incest is not of a sexual nature, but it does describe unhealthy emotional interactions between adults and children that are psychologically inappropriate. What this looks like in a real-life is a parent treating […]

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    What is Emotional Incest?

    January 25, 2022

    Many of us grew up in households that were dysfunctional, where boundaries between parents and adults were blurred in unhealthy ways. Emotional incest is not of a sexual nature, but it does describe unhealthy emotional interactions between adults and children that are psychologically inappropriate.

    What this looks like in a real-life is a parent treating their child as a partner, relying on them for emotional support and care. Here are some of the classic ways parents cross this line:

    Asking a Child for Advice

    When a parent turns to their child for advice about marital issues, sexual problems, financial worries, etc. this blurs the boundaries and causes the child to feel anxiety they should not be privy to.

    Ego Booster

    Narcissistic parents often look to their children to give them a much-needed ego boost. With the parent’s ego being a priority, the child’s emotional needs take a backseat.

    BFF Syndrome

    A parent should never be best friends with their child as this results in many boundaries being blurred. And a child should never be a trusted confidante to their parent.

    Therapist

    Parents that turn to their child for comfort during an emotional crisis rob the child of learning age-appropriate socialization. These children will, most likely, grow into codependent adults, seeking approval from others by taking care of THEIR emotional needs.

    Emotional Incest Outcomes

    Emotional incest is sometimes called “covert” incest because while it’s not sexual, the outcomes of this family dynamic are often similar.

    • Trouble setting healthy boundaries
    • Eating disorders
    • Self-harm
    • Low self-esteem
    • Sexual intimacy issues
    • Substance abuse/addiction
    • Obsessive/compulsive issues

    Healing from Emotional Incest

    When a child grows up and leaves the unhealthy environment and dynamic, that does not mean they won’t experience any lasting repercussions. Most adults will suffer from at least one of the outcomes I just listed.

    The good news is, through counseling, victims of emotional incest can heal and live a healthy and satisfying life filled with strong emotional connections.

    If you believe you are suffering from lingering effects of emotional incest and would like to speak to someone who specializes in this area, please reach out to me.

    SOURCES:

    • https://psychcentral.com/blog/emotional-incest-when-is-close-too-close#1
    • https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/emotional-covert-incest-when-parents-make-their-kids-partners-0914165
    • https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/surviving-thriving/201812/is-it-possible-be-too-close-your-parent-or-child

    Filed Under: family, trauma

    How Narcissistic Parents Affect Mental Health in Children

    October 7, 2021

    For many children, childhood is a time of wonder, play, and discovery. These children have parents who give them the safety and security to explore the world around them and grow to reach their full potential.  But some children have one or more parents who lack the right skills or behavior to allow their children […]

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    How Narcissistic Parents Affect Mental Health in Children

    October 7, 2021

    For many children, childhood is a time of wonder, play, and discovery. These children have parents who give them the safety and security to explore the world around them and grow to reach their full potential. 

    But some children have one or more parents who lack the right skills or behavior to allow their children to feel safe, secure, and unconditionally loved. Those children who are raised by someone with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) often experience prolonged trauma, and the effects of this trauma can linger into adulthood.

    What is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

    When we hear the word narcissist, we often think of certain politicians or celebrities who are known for their boastful and arrogant behavior. And while these traits are definitely annoying, narcissism is far more complex and destructive to those in the relationship with the narcissist, particularly children.

    The main characteristics of narcissism are a lack of empathy and the inability to recognize the emotional needs of others. Narcissistic parents also tend to view their offspring as competition while simultaneously denying them independent personhood. 

    Some other key characteristics of narcissistic parents include:

    • Codependency
    • Inflexible
    • Liars
    • Manipulators
    • Superficial
    • Self-involved
    • Superior

    How Does a Narcissistic Parent Affect a Child’s Mental Health?

    The following are some common ways kids, and adult children of narcissists, feel about themselves and life in general:

    Low Self-Worth

    You grow up feeling unseen and unheard. Your emotional needs never really mattered.

    Codependency

    Narcissistic parents make sure it’s ALWAYS about them. Children grow up feeling 100% responsible for making sure their parent’s needs (financial, emotional, and otherwise) are taken care of. They do not learn how to form healthy boundaries, only how to please others.

    Crippling Self-Doubt

    Narcissists are liars and manipulators. They will “gaslight” their children into believing a false reality. As a result, children grow up with crippling self-doubt, never believing they can trust their own feelings.

    If you believe one or both of your parents was a narcissist and you are suffering from any of these aftereffects, you CAN heal. Working with a therapist who specializes in recovery from narcissistic abuse can put you on the path to self-love, self-compassion, and greater joy and intimacy with others.

    If you’d like to explore treatment options, please get in touch with me.

    RESOURCES:

    • https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/insight-is-2020/201405/narcissistic-parents-psychological-effect-their-children
    • https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-legacy-distorted-love/201802/the-real-effect-narcissistic-parenting-children
    • https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/communication-success/201602/10-signs-narcissistic-parent

    Filed Under: family



    26711 Woodward Ave. Suite 306
    Huntington Woods, MI 48070

    (248) 860-2024
    info@marshpsychologygroup.com

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    info@marshpsychologygroup.com
    (248) 860-2024

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