Addressing Identities ADDRESSING Identities – Yes ADDRESSING Identities Step 1 of 11 – Age and generational influences 0% Age and Generational Influences. Definition: A length of time that a person has lived. How living during certain time periods (eras) might influence identity and experiences. Also includes generational roles such as oldest son or grandparent.How do you identify ?About this identity…This section provides prompts aimed at helping you explore how you experience this identity. You may check as many or as few boxes as feels relevant to your experience. This column also asks you about how much you think about this identity, meaning how often you think about a given identity – this may change based on where you are, who you are with, or how you are feeling. 1. With this identity, I haveHistorically experienced more privilege or power. Examples: Adult, oldest son, or grandparent in some culturesHistorically experienced more barriers or stigma. Examples: Children, Adolescent, Older AdultIf you checked “more barriers” above, do you experience this identity as a source of: Strength Stress Both Neither 2. This identity isFluidChangingStable3. This identity is Visible Hidden Concealable 4. How much do you think about this identity?12345(1=never, 5=very often)Reflection and application questionsThis section provides questions to reflect upon with regards to this identity. Identities are rarely experienced in isolation and our lived experiences are the result of the intersections of all of our identities (e.g., intersectionality). We have noticed that spending time to examine different parts of our identity helps us better understand how they all interact together, like understanding all the different ingredients in a meal in order to understand why it tastes, smells, and looks the way it does.If so, in what ways does this identity affect your mental health?Does this identity interact with other identities, causing more or less stress? If so, how?Considering this aspect of your identity, what is one action you could take going forward to positively influence your treatment/functioning/mood? Disability status and/or physical health status Definition: Functioning and/or impairment that limits one’s ability to participate in day-to-day activities, with recognition that disabling social and physical environments may increase experiences of disability.How do you identify?About this identity…This section provides prompts aimed at helping you explore how you experience this identity. You may check as many or as few boxes as feels relevant to your experience. This column also asks you about how much you think about this identity, meaning how often you think about a given identity – this may change based on where you are, who you are with, or how you are feeling. 1. With this identity, I haveHistorically experienced more privilege or power. Examples: Able-bodied, physically healthyHistorically experienced more barriers or stigma. Examples: Intellectual Disability, Cerebral Palsy, Diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Breast Cancer, Chronic Pain, Traumatic Brain Injury, HIV, Deaf or hard of hearing, blind or visually impairedIf you checked “more barriers” above, do you experience this identity as a source of: Strength Stress Both Neither 2. This identity isVisibleHiddenConcealable3. This identity isFluidChangingStableReflection and application questionsThis section provides three questions to reflect upon with regards to this identity. Identities are rarely experienced in isolation and our lived experiences are the result of the intersections of all of our identities (e.g., intersectionality). We have noticed that spending time to examine different parts of our identity helps us better understand how they all interact together, like understanding all the different ingredients in a meal in order to understand why it tastes, smells, and looks the way it does.Does this identity impact your mood or mental health (how you think, feel, behave)?12345(1=not at all, 5=completely)If so, in what ways does this identity affect your mental health?Does this identity interact with other identities, causing more or less stress? If so, how?Considering this aspect of your identity, what is one action you could take going forward to positively influence your treatment/functioning/mood? Diagnosis Status (Psychological/Psychiatric) Definition: Presence or absence (or past history) of mental health problems. How do you identify?About this identity…This section provides prompts aimed at helping you explore how you experience this identity. You may check as many or as few boxes as feels relevant to your experience. This column also asks you about how much you think about this identity, meaning how often you think about a given identity – this may change based on where you are, who you are with, or how you are feeling. 1. With this identity, I haveHistorically experienced more privilege or power. Examples: Absence or assumption of absence of mental health problems. Society’s definition of “good mental health.”Historically experienced more barriers or stigma. Examples: bipolar, depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, severe emotion dysregulation, borderline personality disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders, etc.If you checked “more barriers” above, do you experience this identity as a source of: Strength Stress Both Neither 2. This identity isVisibleHiddenConcealable3. This identity isFluidChangingStableReflection and application questionsThis section provides questions to reflect upon with regards to this identity. Identities are rarely experienced in isolation and our lived experiences are the result of the intersections of all of our identities (e.g., intersectionality). We have noticed that spending time to examine different parts of our identity helps us better understand how they all interact together, like understanding all the different ingredients in a meal in order to understand why it tastes, smells, and looks the way it does.Does this identity impact your mood or mental health (how you think, feel, behave)?12345(1=not at all, 5=completely)If so, in what ways does this identity affect your mental health?Does this identity interact with other identities, causing more or less stress? If so, how?Considering this aspect of your identity, what is one action you could take going forward to positively influence your treatment/functioning/mood? Religion and Spirituality Religion : Institutionalized or culture-specific forms of relating to the sacred. Spirituality : Any way of relating to that which is regarded as sacred. May or may not be linked to established institutions and/or traditional conceptualizations of the sacred. How do you identify?About this identity…This section provides prompts aimed at helping you explore how you experience this identity. You may check as many or as few boxes as feels relevant to your experience. This column also asks you about how much you think about this identity, meaning how often you think about a given identity – this may change based on where you are, who you are with, or how you are feeling. 1. With this identity, I haveHistorically experienced more privilege or power. Examples: Christianity or secularHistorically experienced more barriers or stigma. Examples: Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, BuddhismIf you checked “more barriers” above, do you experience this identity as a source of : Strength Stress Both Neither 2. This identity isVisibleHiddenConcealable3. How much do you think about this identity?12345(1=not at all, 5=completely)Reflection and application questionsThis section provides questions to reflect upon with regards to this identity. Identities are rarely experienced in isolation and our lived experiences are the result of the intersections of all of our identities (e.g., intersectionality). We have noticed that spending time to examine different parts of our identity helps us better understand how they all interact together, like understanding all the different ingredients in a meal in order to understand why it tastes, smells, and looks the way it does.Does this identity impact your mood or mental health (how you think, feel, behave)?12345(1=not at all, 5=completely)If so, in what ways does this identity affect your mental health?Does this identity interact with other identities, causing more or less stress? If so, how?Considering this aspect of your identity, what is one action you could take going forward to positively influence your treatment/functioning/mood? Ethnicity and Race Ethnicity : A type of culture most often related to shared heritage from a geographical location that develops from within groups. May incorporate one ethnicity or multiple ethnicities. Race : Categorizes people into socially constructed groups based on external characteristics including skin color, facial features, and hair texture. Ethnicity – How do you identify?Race – How do you identify?About this identity…This section provides prompts aimed at helping you explore how you experience this identity. You may check as many or as few boxes as feels relevant to your experience. This column also asks you about how much you think about this identity, meaning how often you think about a given identity – this may change based on where you are, who you are with, or how you are feeling. 1. With my ethnic identity, I haveHistorically experienced more privilege or power. Examples: European AmericanHistorically experienced more barriers or stigma. Examples: Ethnic minority cultures in the U.S. such as African, Asian, South Asian, Latinx, Middle Eastern/North African, and African AmericanIf you checked “more barriers” above, do you experience this identity as a source of : Strength Stress Both Neither 2. My ethnic identity isVisibleHiddenConcealable3. My ethnic identity isFluidChangingStable4. How much do you think about your ethnic identity?12345(1=not at all, 5=completely) Ethnicity5. With my racial identity, I haveHistorically experienced more privilege or power. Examples: WhiteHistorically experienced more barriers or stigma. Examples: People of color including Asian, South Asian, Black, African, Latinx, Multiracial, Middle Eastern and North AfricanIf you checked “more barriers” above, do you experience this identity as a source of : Strength Stress Both Neither 6. My racial identity isVisibleHiddenConcealable7. My racial identity isFluidChangingStable8. How much do you think about your racial identity?12345(1=not at all, 5=completely)Reflection and application questionsThis section provides questions to reflect upon with regards to this identity. Identities are rarely experienced in isolation and our lived experiences are the result of the intersections of all of our identities (e.g., intersectionality). We have noticed that spending time to examine different parts of our identity helps us better understand how they all interact together, like understanding all the different ingredients in a meal in order to understand why it tastes, smells, and looks the way it does.Does this ethnic or racial identity impact your mood or mental health (how you think, feel, behave)?12345(1=not at all, 5=completely)If so, in what ways does this identity affect your mental health?Does this identity interact with other identities, causing more or less stress? If so, how?Considering this aspect of your identity, what is one action you could take going forward to positively influence your treatment/functioning/mood? Sexual Orientation Definition : Identity in relation to the gender or genders a person is sexually attracted to.How do you identify?About this identity…This section provides prompts aimed at helping you explore how you experience this identity. You may check as many or as few boxes as feels relevant to your experience. This column also asks you about how much you think about this identity, meaning how often you think about a given identity – this may change based on where you are, who you are with, or how you are feeling. 1. With this identity, I haveHistorically experienced more privilege or power. Examples: Straight, heterosexualHistorically experienced more barriers or stigma. Examples: Lesbian, gay, bi+, bisexual, pansexual, queer, fluid and asexualIf you checked “more barriers” above, do you experience this identity as a source of : Strength Stress Both Neither 2. This identity isVisibleHiddenConcealable3. This identity isFluidChangingStable4. How much do you think about this identity?12345(1=not at all, 5=completely)Reflection and application questionsThis section provides questions to reflect upon with regards to this identity. Identities are rarely experienced in isolation and our lived experiences are the result of the intersections of all of our identities (e.g., intersectionality). We have noticed that spending time to examine different parts of our identity helps us better understand how they all interact together, like understanding all the different ingredients in a meal in order to understand why it tastes, smells, and looks the way it does.Does this identity impact your mood or mental health (how you think, feel, behave)?12345(1=not at all, 5=completely)If so, in what ways does this identity affect your mental health?Does this identity interact with other identities, causing more or less stress? If so, how?Considering this aspect of your identity, what is one action you could take going forward to positively influence your treatment/functioning/mood? Socioeconomic Status (SES) Definition: Social standing or class often measured as a combination of education, income, financial access/security, and occupation.How do you identify?About this identity…This section provides prompts aimed at helping you explore how you experience this identity. You may check as many or as few boxes as feels relevant to your experience. This column also asks you about how much you think about this identity, meaning how often you think about a given identity – this may change based on where you are, who you are with, or how you are feeling. 1. With this identity, I haveHistorically experienced more privilege or power. Examples: Wealthy, upper and middle class, highly educatedHistorically experienced more barriers or stigma. Examples: Lower status because of class, education, occupation, income, or location. Working poor and economically marginalizedIf you checked “more barriers” above, do you experience this identity as a source of : Strength Stress Both Neither 2. This identity isVisibleHiddenConcealable3. This identity isFluidChangingStable4. How much do you think about this identity?12345(1=not at all, 5=completely)Reflection and application questionsThis section provides questions to reflect upon with regards to this identity. Identities are rarely experienced in isolation and our lived experiences are the result of the intersections of all of our identities (e.g., intersectionality). We have noticed that spending time to examine different parts of our identity helps us better understand how they all interact together, like understanding all the different ingredients in a meal in order to understand why it tastes, smells, and looks the way it does.Does this identity impact your mood or mental health (how you think, feel, behave)?12345(1=not at all, 5=completely)If so, in what ways does this identity affect your mental health?Does this identity interact with other identities, causing more or less stress? If so, how?Considering this aspect of your identity, what is one action you could take going forward to positively influence your treatment/functioning/mood? Indigenous Heritage Definition: Belonging to a group of people who are the original, earliest known inhabitants of a geographical region, or their descendants.Do you identify as someone with Indigenous heritage?YesNoIf yes, how do you identify?About this identity…This section provides prompts aimed at helping you explore how you experience this identity. You may check as many or as few boxes as feels relevant to your experience. This column also asks you about how much you think about this identity, meaning how often you think about a given identity – this may change based on where you are, who you are with, or how you are feeling. 1. With my Indigenous heritage, I haveHistorically experienced more privilege or power. Examples: Member of a historically or current colonizing culture such as European AmericanHistorically experienced more barriers or stigma. Examples: American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiians, First Peoples, Aboriginal peopleIf you checked “more barriers” above, do you experience this identity as a source of : Strength Stress Both Neither 2. My Indigenous heritage isVisibleHiddenConcealable3. How often do you think about your Indigenous heritage?12345(1=not at all, 5=completely)Reflection and application questionsThis section provides three questions to reflect upon with regards to this identity. Identities are rarely experienced in isolation and our lived experiences are the result of the intersections of all of our identities (e.g., intersectionality). We have noticed that spending time to examine different parts of our identity helps us better understand how they all interact together, like understanding all the different ingredients in a meal in order to understand why it tastes, smells, and looks the way it does.Does this identity impact your mood or mental health (how you think, feel, behave)?12345(1=not at all, 5=completely)If so, in what ways does this identity affect your mental health?Does this identity interact with other identities, causing more or less stress? If so, how?Considering this aspect of your identity, what is one action you could take going forward to positively influence your treatment/functioning/mood? Nationality and Citizenship Nationality and Citizenship: The place in the world where someone was born and/or legal status where they currently reside.How do you identify?About this identity…This section provides prompts aimed at helping you explore how you experience this identity. You may check as many or as few boxes as feels relevant to your experience. This column also asks you about how much you think about this identity, meaning how often you think about a given identity – this may change based on where you are, who you are with, or how you are feeling. 1. With this identity, I haveHistorically experienced more privilege or power. Examples: US American, CitizenHistorically experienced more barriers or stigma. Examples: Undocumented or underdocumented immigrant, Refugee, Asylum Seeker, International StudentIf you checked “more barriers” above, do you experience this identity as a source of : Strength Stress Both Neither 2. This identity isVisibleHiddenConcealable3. This identity isFluidChangingStable4. How much do you think about this identity?12345(1=not at all, 5=completely)Reflection and application questionsThis section provides questions to reflect upon with regards to this identity. Identities are rarely experienced in isolation and our lived experiences are the result of the intersections of all of our identities (e.g., intersectionality). We have noticed that spending time to examine different parts of our identity helps us better understand how they all interact together, like understanding all the different ingredients in a meal in order to understand why it tastes, smells, and looks the way it does.Does this identity impact your mood or mental health (how you think, feel, behave)?12345(1=not at all, 5=completely)If so, in what ways does this identity affect your mental health?Does this identity interact with other identities, causing more or less stress? If so, how?Considering this aspect of your identity, what is one action you could take going forward to positively influence your treatment/functioning/mood? Gender identity and Sex assigned at birth Sex assigned at birth: The sex you were labeled at birth (usually male or female) based on physical characteristics and chromosomes. Sometimes people’s current gender identity does not match what they were assigned at birth. Gender: A range of biological and socially constructed characteristics pertaining to, and typically differentiating between “masculinity” and “femininity.”Sex assigned at birth – How do you identify?Gender – How do you identify?About this identity…This section provides prompts aimed at helping you explore how you experience this identity. You may check as many or as few boxes as feels relevant to your experience. This column also asks you about how much you think about this identity, meaning how often you think about a given identity – this may change based on where you are, who you are with, or how you are feeling. 1. With my sex assigned at birth identity, I haveHistorically experienced more privilege or power. Examples: Cisgender, sex assigned at birth and current gender matchHistorically experienced more barriers or stigma. Examples: Transgender, Intersex, or other identities not matching birth assignment, etc.If you checked “more barriers” above, do you experience this identity as a source of : Strength Stress Both Neither 2. With my gender identity, I haveHistorically experienced more privilege or power Examples: MaleHistorically experienced more barriers Female, Gender Queer, Gender Non-Conforming, etc.If you checked “more barriers” above, do you experience this identity as a source of : Strength Stress Both Neither 3. My gender identity isVisibleHiddenConcealable4. My gender identity isFluidChangingStable5. How much do you think about this identity?12345(1=not at all, 5=completely)Reflection and application questionsThis section provides questions to reflect upon with regards to this identity. Identities are rarely experienced in isolation and our lived experiences are the result of the intersections of all of our identities (e.g., intersectionality). We have noticed that spending time to examine different parts of our identity helps us better understand how they all interact together, like understanding all the different ingredients in a meal in order to understand why it tastes, smells, and looks the way it does.Does this identity impact your mood or mental health (how you think, feel, behave)?12345(1=not at all, 5=completely)If so, in what ways does this identity affect your mental health?Does this identity interact with other identities, causing more or less stress? If so, how?Considering this aspect of your identity, what is one action you could take going forward to positively influence your treatment/functioning/mood? Sources:Hays, P.A. (2022). Addressing Cultural Complexities in Counseling and Clinical Practice: An Intersectional Approach. American Psychological Association. Winer, J.P., Wadsworth, L. P., Forgeard, M., Pinder-Amaker, S., Bjorgvinsson, T., & Beard, C. (2018). Development and implementation of a single-session diversity and multicultural psychology group intervention within an academic psychiatric hospital. The Behavior Therapist. Δ
