Decolonizing Multicultural Counseling Through Social Justice

Multicultural counseling and psychology evolved as a response to the Eurocentrism prevalent in the Western healing professions and has been used to challenge the Eurocentric, patriarchal, and heteronormative constructs commonly embedded in counseling and psychology. Ironically, some of the practices and paradigms commonly associated with “multiculturalism” reinforce the very hegemonic practices and paradigms that multicultural counseling and psychology approaches were created to correct. In Decolonizing "Multicultural" Counseling through Social Justice, counseling and psychology scholars and practitioners examine this paradox through a social justice lens by questioning and challenging the infrastructure of dominance in society, as well as by challenging ourselves as practitioners, scholars, and activists to rethink our commitments. The authors analyze the ways well-meaning clinicians might marginalize clients and contribute to structural inequities despite multicultural or cross-cultural training, and offer new frameworks and skills to replace the essentializing and stereotyping practices that are widespread in the field. By addressing the power imbalances embedded in key areas of multicultural theory and practice, contributors present innovative methods for revising research paradigms, professional education, and hands-on practice to reflect a commitment to equity and social justice. Together, the chapters in this book model transformative practice in the clinic, the schools, the community, and the discipline. Among the topics covered: Rethinking racial identity development models. Queering multicultural competence in counseling. Developing a liberatory approach to trauma counseling. Decolonizing psychological practice in the context of poverty. Utilizing indigenous paradigms in counseling research. Addressing racism through intersectionality. A mind-opening text for multicultural counseling and psychology courses as well as other foundational courses in counseling and psychology education, Decolonizing "Multicultural" Counseling through Social Justice challenges us to let go of simplistic approaches, however well-intended, and to embrace a more transformative approach to counseling and psychology practice and scholarship.

Radical Psychology explores what affects the multicultural and social justice competencies of psychologists in clinical practice, training, and research. The contributors explain how progress in social justice initiatives was hindered and why the development of culturally competent practitioners was not viewed as essential.

This accessible practice-building reference establishes a clear social justice lens for providing culturally-responsive and ethical multicultural counseling for all clients. Rooted in the principles of Culture-Infused Counseling, the book’s practical framework spotlights the evolving therapeutic relationship and diverse approaches to working with clients’ personal and relational challenges, including at the community and system levels. Case studies illustrate interventions with clients across various identities from race, gender, and class to immigration status, sexuality, spirituality, and body size, emphasizing the importance of viewing client’s presenting concerns within the contexts of their lives. Chapters also model counselor self-awareness so readers can assess their strengths, identify their hidden assumptions, and evolve past basic cultural sensitivity to actively infusing social justice as an ethical stance in professional practice. Included in the chapters: · Culture-infused counseling, emphasizing context, identities, and social justice · Decolonizing and indigenous approaches · Social class awareness · Intersectionality of identities · Clients’ spiritual and religious beliefs · Weight bias as a social justice issue · Culturally responsive and socially just engagement in counselling women · Life-making in therapeutic work with transgender clients · Socially-just counseling for refugees · Multi-level systems approaches to interventions While Counseling in Cultural Contexts is geared toward a student/training audience, practicing professionals will also find the case study format of the book to be informative and stimulating.

"Social Justice Counseling is the next step toward alleviating the injustices faced by individuals in society and it is a natural extension of multicultural counseling. Issues of social justice are dominating conferences across the mental health disciplines, with a greater focus on alleviating broader social inequities such as equity, access and fairness for each individual. At a micro level social justice issues play out in the form of gender discrimination, sexual harassment, equal access to education,fair housing, and more. Traditionally counselors have been focused on the individual, however, in recent years there has been a shift for all mental health professionals to address issues of social class, race and ethnicity and more. This books offers a supplement to important issues regarding social justice and will highly enhance the content taught in multicultural courses. The authors are leading authorities on social justice counseling and have led the way to create a specialization in social justicecounseling at their school at George Mason University. This book is the first to bring all these concepts together, tie them to multiculturalism, and offer personal applications and tools for mental health professionals. It is theoretical yet highly practical in offering concrete steps toward becoming more social justice oriented"--Provided by publisher.

This book takes a new approach to teaching students to think and learn about issues of race and diversity. It aims to break down the traditional categorizations of racial/ethnic groupings and focuses on teaching students to think and learn in a multidimensional manner, rather than in a linear fashion. The key to the book lies in its aim to teach students to practise culturally competent counselling by taking into consideration a client's multiple identities, such as a middle-aged, African American woman, who might be facing issues due to her racial grouping, her age and her gender. The book is filled with activities, excercises and examples that help students think about racism in a non-traditional manner, rather than the typical ways often taught, making it very timely and reflecting the transformation of thinking that is occuring in the field.

In this book, Drs. Ratts and Pedersen combine the very best from the multicultural and social justice traditions into a new paradigm, which will guide counselors toward a deeper understanding of the connections between these two counseling forces. Significantly updated and expanded from the previous edition, this fourth edition focuses on applying multiculturalism and social justice in various clinical settings with diverse client populations. A completely new applications section contains nine chapters on working with oppressed client groups, including African Americans; Asian and Pacific Islanders; Latin@s; multiracial individuals; Native Americans; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning clients; transgender individuals; women; and socioeconomically disadvantaged clients. Clients experiencing religious and spiritual concerns are discussed as well. Each of the chapters in this section provides an illustrative case study and numerous counseling examples. *Requests for digital versions from the ACA can be found on wiley.com. *To request print copies, please visit the ACA website here. *Reproduction requests for material from books published by ACA should be directed to [email protected].

This timely volume gives readers a robust framework and innovative tools for incorporating clients' unique cultural variables in counseling and therapy. Its chapters identify cultural, societal, and worldview-based contexts for understanding clients, from the relatively familiar (ethnicity, gender, age) to the less explored (migration status, social privilege, geographic environment). Diverse cases illustrate how cultural assessments contribute to building the therapeutic relationship and developing interventions that respect client individuality as well as group identity. In these pages, clinicians are offered effective strategies for conducting more relevant and meaningful therapy, resulting in better outcomes for client populations that have traditionally been marginalized and underserved. The appendices include the Scale to Assess Worldview© (Ibrahim & Kahn, 1984), The Acculturation Index© (Ibrahim, 2008), and the Cultural Identity Check List-Revised© (Ibrahim, 2007). Among the topics covered: Cultural identity: components and assessment. Worldview: implications for culturally responsive and ethical practice. Understanding acculturation and its use in counseling and psychotherapy. Social justice variables critical for conducting counseling and psychotherapy. Immigrants: identity development and counseling issues. Designing interventions using the social justice and cultural responsiveness model. Cultural and Social Justice Counseling is a profound source of knowledge for clinicians and students in mental health fields (counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, social workers) who are working with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds, including those working in international settings, with clients across cultures, and with sojourners to the US.

Diversity and Social Justice in Counseling, Psychology, and Psychotherapy: A Case Study Approach offers readers a critical perspective on the ways in which helping professions are practiced in the context of a multifaceted society. The text is designed to advance readers' understanding that ethnic group and race categories are useful but limited without the inclusion of the intersectionality of the Group of Seven (Big 7) identities (and beyond): race/culture/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientations, class, disability, religion/spirituality, and age. Key concepts, such as multiple and intersecting cultural identities and social locations, power, privilege, stereotyping, discrimination, prejudice, and oppression, are explored through various points of entry. Individual chapters cover the integration of antiracism and critical race theory in practice, Indigeneity and coloniality as analytic tools, feminist therapy, ethical considerations, and more. The book supports the construction of an intersubjective, intrapsychic, and relational space in practice. Each chapter includes a case vignette that illustrates how cultural, historical, economical, and sociopolitical contexts offer a background to diversity and social justice theory and practice, as well as reflective questions to help readers think critically. Diversity and Social Justice in Counseling, Psychology, and Psychotherapy is an essential resource for students and practitioners within various helping professions.