I really like this visual metaphor. I see this play out many times in my life, as well- something will happen, and sometimes it takes a lot of exploration to even consider it part of a pattern. Being in a social work field has helped noticing these underlying structures much easier to find, at least in my own head. I can eventually come to a conclusion about what schemas and perceptions might be making me see an event a certain way. This is something I would share with my clients and help them learn to pick up on these things "under the water", because it's helpful to notice them in order to subvert shame or feel more in control of my reactions.

This is pretty egregious. Karen should have been advised how to allow space for Tyson's issue, where instead she shut it down by claiming there HAS to be some sort of misunderstanding. For all she knows, in this or any other race-related situation, maybe (and probably) Tyson understands PERFECTLY, because HE is the one in the classroom experiencing it. White clinical supervisors need to learn to encourage their staff to ask questions, be curious, let the client explore how they FEEL instead of test the reality of their client's lives and cast doubt on how real life situations play out for the client.