Whose Family

-Christina Chao, “We Do Not Even Eat Rice the Same” 384 Interviewing Special Populations

Working with a Hispanic Client

Rosa is a 19 year old single female whose family moved from Mexico to Michigan 15 years ago. She has two sisters, ages 16 and 21, and three brothers, ages 14, 17, and 22. She and her family live in a community that is primarily Mexican American and where Catholicism is a signi?cant part of people’s lives. Rosa is living at home while she studies journalism at a local college, where she has consistently been named to the Dean’s list for academic excellence.

She came to counseling because she had been feeling depressed over the last two months. She noted that she is not sleeping or eating well, and is “having a hard time just getting through each day.” She stated that it was dif?cult to come to counseling because her family would not approve of her discussing personal things with an outsider, but she came anyway because friends at her college strongly encouraged her.

When asked about her life, she burst into tears. She was thoroughly enjoying college until she noticed that her family was treating her differently. Looking back, she thought it started as soon as she began college, but the novelty of the experience helped her overlook the differences. Rosa said her brothers, especially, were keeping their distance from her and when they spoke to her, they treated her like she wasn’t like them anymore. One time she overheard her older brother accuse her of trying to be better than them. She also noticed that she couldn’t relate as well to her old friends. When they met, they often ran out of things to say after a few awkward minutes. She ?nally said, “It’s just not worth it to me-I’m going to quit college. I just don’t know who I am anymore!” How would you explore the importance of family with Rosa? What else would you need to know about her? Her friends? How would you ask? Would you consider incorporating other helping sources in your work with Rosa? Discuss these with a partner.