Jane is a 69-year-old black, married, retired female who lives withher husband. She was referred to you for individual counseling towork on severe anxiety and moderate depression. Jane's physicalhealth has been declining after injuring her knee a year ago. Janehas been doing water aerobics weekly, and was working a part-timejob and active in her prior to the onset of the medical problem.Jane underwent surgery to repair the injury, however, she stillreports weakness and some numbness which impacts most dailyactivities. When Jane comes to meet with you, she is tearful andreluctantly using a walker. She tells you that she had delayedcoming to therapy for a week in hopes of feeling better but finallycame at the urging of her husband and using the walker for thefirst time that day to steady herself. Jane's doctor informed herthat there is nothing more he can do to help her and suggested painmedication which Jane does not want to take because it makes herfeel sick. Since receiving this news, Jane has been feeling moredown and has been isolating herself and has refused to seek asecond opinion despite her husband's urging because she does notfeel any doctors will listen to her or understand. UsingMulticultural Feminist Theory, how do you help to empower Jane andencourage her to explore other medical options? What strategies doyou incorporate to address Jane's depression and anxiety?
