As disaster relief efforts provide food and shelter for those suffering in Haiti, one UF professor wants people to remember the emotional impact of the earthquake.
Cirecie West-Olatunji, a professor of counselor education, is featured on the American Counseling Association’s newest podcast, “Stress and Haitian Americans.”
“This was one way in which I could reach a lot of people,” she said.
She talks about how counselors can recognize when Haitian-Americans affected by the disaster are distressed and need intervention.
“The effects of disaster will be felt in many months ahead,” she said.
West-Olatunji said she advocates the use of community counseling, which goes beyond helping just the individual or the family and focuses on healing the whole community.
She noted this approach is well-suited for helping the Haitian community because the idea of professional counseling is not prevalent in their culture.
“It expedites the healing process, and it’s more organic,” she said.
