For this assignment you will consider a diverse group of which you are not a member and that you will be likely to counsel. Select a gathering or event focused on this group in your community to attend (for example, a worship service, a holiday celebration, festival, or open community meeting).

Use the Library Guide ADD5336: Research in Addiction Studies and identify at least four peer-reviewed articles that address the characteristics and concerns and culturally relevant therapeutic strategies that would be appropriate for this population and addictions. In addition, use your text as a reference. Address the following in your assignment:

Your aspirations

Briefly discuss your aspirations for a professional position upon graduation (for example, an inpatient substance abuse treatment center).
Identify a diverse group that you will be likely to serve, of which you are not a member, and about which you have identified a need to learn more.
Cultural Immersion

Describe the event you attended and your thoughts and feelings as you prepared to attend the event.
Describe the event. Were the people in attendance similar or different from what you expected?
Describe your experience at the event.
Were you welcomed? In the minority? Comfortable? Interested? Curious?
Client Characteristics and Concerns

Describe the characteristics and concerns of the group, including the following:
What did you observe or learn about the culture at the event you attended?
Influence of perceived group membership on stereotypical views of this group, group members’ view of themselves, and your view of group members.
Historical and current societal discrimination/oppression and its impact on the mental health of members of this group.
What other aspects of the client’s culture will you take into account in developing cultural sensitivity?
Culturally Relevant Strategies

Referring to your text, discuss the centrality of communication to counseling, and the aspects of communication style you will need to attend to in counseling members of the cultural group you have selected (for example, language).
Discuss at least two culturally supported interventions from the current literature that you would employ in this case in order to promote optimal wellness and growth of the human spirit, mind, and body
How do the interventions you propose reflect the Multicultural Counseling Competencies,
the principles of Multicultural Counseling and Therapy, and the best practices related to diversity and advocacy?
Describe at least one advocacy strategy you could employ at the individual, community, and public policy level