Presenters:
Sylvia London and
Ilene Wasserman

Public discourse has emphasized the idea of diversity as an important asset in the quality of relationships and our society. Collectively, we have moved from the romantic idea of a “melting pot” to embrace our differences. This change poses questions that oscillate between problem-focused and generative. In response our society requires clinicians and consultants capable of dealing with diversity issues, such as race, class, religion, nationality, language, migration, culture, sexual orientation, etc.   However, to be successful with diverse populations, practitioners need to move beyond restrained polite conversations to compassionately embrace the ambiguity and challenge of working with multiple realities and possibilities.

This experience-based workshop will explore how we construct our relational selves through our assumptions of social similarities and differences from a place of curiosity and compassion. Conversational exercises and reflective practices will provide an opportunity to experience the creation of successful relationships and conversations that address cultural beliefs and promote a safe environment open to newness and possibilities.           

• Who am I?
• Who are we?
• What kind of contradictions do I find in defining myself?
• What are the rules and affordances of coming together?
• What do I leave out or over-emphasize with another to belong?