Multicultural Positionally - Courtenay South

I have experienced several Critical Incidents that have broadened my awareness of culture and diversity. When I was young, my family and I served Christmas Dinner to unhoused individuals in Calgary, Alberta. This is where my desire to serve underprivileged populations began.  A few years ago, I volunteered at The Refuge Utah, a domestic violence shelter. This experience opened my eyes to cycles of abuse and the complex difficulties victims face when seeking help.  In the fall of 2024, I started an MSW program at BYU.  Shortly into the program, my cohort attended the local Utah Islamic Center and the Kol Ami Synagogue. I appreciated how these experiences strengthened unity between different religious groups in our community. Additionaly, during our social justice class, we were challenged to complete a Proximity Project. This project required selecting a population with which I had limited experience and getting to know them better. I chose to learn more about and sp...

My social position reflects a mix of privilege, power, and oppression. Power: In my home, I have held power as a stay-at-home mother. I enjoy the freedom to influence the rhythms of my household and guide the growth of my children without outside control. I choose what to feed my children, where they attend school, and which religious beliefs I teach them in the home. I have been entrusted to mother my bonus son, Zack, whose birth mother allowed me space to step in when her circumstances were limiting. While caregiving roles are sometimes undervalued in society, my experience has been one of support and encouragement in this important work I have chosen to pursue. Privilege:  I am privileged because of the color of my skin. I have never experienced discrimination or lost opportunities based on my physical appearance. I am also privileged by financial stability. My ability to remain home with my children is directly tied to economic resources, and I am grateful for that priviledge e...

Clinical Social Work Having opportunities to interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds has broadened my perspective and shaped how I view the world. I have come to recognize that many hard-working, creative, and loving people face challenges such as poverty, family instability, unemployment, discrimination, fear, homelessness, food insecurity, and physical or mental health struggles. These individuals do not need judgment or scrutiny. They need love, encouragement, and hope. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I believe I have the responsibility to love and serve God’s children. I feel deeply blessed to have His light guide my path, and I want to share the blessings I have received with others. Reflecting on my own cultural development and positionality, I recognize both the privileges I hold and the unique perspective my life experiences have given me. These reflections inspire me to approach clinical work with humility, compassion, and a commitment to serve in the best way I can....

Therapist Client Relationship - Positionality and Power In reflecting on my experiences with power, privilege, and oppression, I have become increasingly aware of how my background shapes my work as a clinical social worker. I am currently interning at Wasatch Behavioral Health - Provo Family Clinic, where I work primarily with low-income individuals on Medicaid. I recognize that I come from a position of economic privilege, while many of those I serve do not. This difference creates an inherent power dynamic, one that requires me to approach my role with humility and awareness so I do not unintentionally reinforce inequities. I also carry the privilege of having been raised in a traditional family with both parents present, and I am now raising my own family in similar circumstances. In contrast, many of my clients come from family structures that look very different. While my background influences how I view family life, my clients’ lived experiences challenge and expand my perspecti...