Cross Cultural Awareness and Social Justice in Counseling

Many societal and cultural changes have taken place over the past several decades, almost all of which have had a significant effect on the mental health professions. Clinicians find themselves encountering clients from highly diverse backgrounds more and more often, increasing the need for a knowledge of cross-cultural competencies. Ellis and Carlson have brought together some of the leaders in the field of multicultural counseling to create a text for mental health professionals that not only addresses diversity but also emphasizes the counselor’s role as an advocate of social justice. The theoretical foundation for this book rests on research into diversity, spirituality, religion, and color-specific issues. Each chapter addresses the unique needs and relevant issues in working with a specific population, such as women, men, African Americans, Asian Americans, Spanish-speaking clients, North America’s indigenous people, members of the LGBT community, new citizens, and the poor, underserved, and underrepresented. Issues that enter into the counselor-patient relationship are discussed in detail for all of these groups, with the hope that this will lead to a greater understanding and sensitivity on the part of the counselor for their patients. This is an important and timely book for both counselors-in-training and those already established as professionals in today’s highly diverse and constantly-changing society.

Cyrus Marcellus Ellis is a professor of counselor education at Governors State University, University Park, IL. He instructs graduate courses in CACREP approved counseling program and is a therapist treating adolescents and adults suffering emotive and addiction issues. Dr. Ellis is a member of ACA, where he is on the editorial board of the Journal of Counseling and Development as well as The Human Rights Committee and the Association for Counselor Educators and Supervisors. He is President-elect of Illinois Association for Multicultural Counseling.

Jon Carlson is a distinguished professor in the division of Psychology and Counseling at Governors State University and psychologist at the Wellness Clinic in Lake Geneva, WI. Dr. Carlson has published 40 books, 150 journal articles and developed over 200 professional video and DVD programs, mainly for APA.* A past president of the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors, he was named a Living Legend in Counseling by the ACA in 2004.

Toporek, Counseling from a Cross Cultural and Social Justice Posture. Manis, Brown, Paylo, The Helping Professional as an Advocate. Farrell, Developing a Diverse Counseling Posture. Brown, May, Counseling with Women. Englar-Carlson, Counseling with Men. Grimmett & Locke, Counseling with African Americans. Singh, Counseling with Asian Americans. Smith, Montilla, Counseling with Spanish Speaking Clients. Turner, Pope, Counseling with North America’s Indigenous People. Tollerud, Slabon, Counseling with Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender People. Zagelbaum, Counseling with New Citizens. Caldwell, Counseling with the Poor, Underserved and Underrepresented. Ellis, Carlson, The Next Step.