Addressing Cultural Complexities in Practice: Assessment, Diagnosis, and Therapy / Edition 2

by Pamela A. Hays

Overview

This engaging book helps readers move beyond one-dimensional conceptualizations of identity to an understanding of the complex, overlapping cultural influences that form each of us. Pamela Hays' "ADDRESSING" framework enables therapists to better recognize and understand cultural influences as a multidimensional combination of Age, Developmental and acquired Disabilities, Religion, Ethnicity, Socioeconomic status, Sexual orientation, Indigenous heritage, Native origin, and Gender. Unlike other books on therapy with diverse clients, which tend to focus on working with one particular ethnic group, Addressing Cultural Complexities in Practice presents a framework that can be used with a person of any cultural identity. This second edition has been updated throughout and has new sections on cross-cultural assessment of trauma, on psychotherapy with people living in poverty, and on ethical boundaries and complex relationships in rural and minority communities. A special section describes how to integrate cultural considerations into the evidence-based practice of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Organized according to the flow of clinical work (in contrast to the one chapter-per-group approach), the book's contents are summarized in handy Key Tables at the end of each chapter for ease of use in education and supervision. This stimulating book will be an important resource for counselors, clinicians, and mental health professionals working with clients from a variety of backgrounds.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781433802195
Publisher:	American Psychological Association
Publication date:	09/01/2007
Edition description:	Older Edition
Pages:	275
Product dimensions:	7.10(w) x 10.00(h) x 1.20(d)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     vii
Introduction     1
Seeing the Forest and the Trees: The Complexities of Culture in Practice     3
Self-Assessment     19
Becoming a Culturally Responsive Therapist     21
Looking Into the Clinician's Mirror: Cultural Self-Assessment     41
Connecting with Your Client     63
Entering Another's World: Understanding Clients' Identities and Contexts     65
Making Meaningful Connections: Establishing Respect and Rapport     85
Culturally Responsive Assessment and Diagnosis     103
Sorting Things Out: Culturally Responsive Assessment     105
Putting Culture to the Test: Considerations With Standardized Testing     129
Making Sense and Moving On: Culturally Responsive Diagnosis and the DSM-IV-TR     153
Culturally Responsive Practice     173
How to Help Best: Culturally Responsive Therapy     175
Practice Doesn't Make Perfect, but It Sure Does Help: A Final Case Example     203
Conclusion: Looking to the Future     217
References     225
Author Index     259
Subject Index     267
About the Author     275

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Gary B Kaniuk, Psy.D.(Cermak Health Services)
Description: This book deals with cultural and diversity issues in clinical work by using the "Addressing" framework. This approach will help therapists understand the various identities/memberships of both themselves and the clients they serve, greatly assisting the therapeutic process. This updates the first edition published in 2001.
Purpose: The book is intended to help readers "move beyond one-dimensional conceptualizations of identity to an understanding of the complex, overlapping cultural influences that drive each of us." The authors explain, "the ADDRESSING framework enables therapists to better recognize and understand cultural influences as a multidimensional combination of Age, Developmental and acquired Disabilities, Religion, Ethnicity, Socioeconomic status, Sexual orientation, Indigenous heritage, Native origin, and Gender. Unlike other books on therapy with diverse clients, which tend to focus on working with one particular ethnic group, Addressing Cultural Complexities in Practice presents a framework that can be used with a person of any cultural identity."
Audience: Counselors, clinicians, and mental health professionals working with clients from a variety of backgrounds are the intended audience. Graduate students in clinical/counseling psychology would also benefit. The author works with Central Peninsula Counseling Services and the Kenaitze Tribe's Nakenu Family Center in Kenai, Alaska. She is an adjunct faculty member for Antioch University Seattle and her research has focused on Arab women and Cambodian refugees living in the United States.
Features: This book is excellent in the way it addresses multicultural issues related to the therapeutic process in a very organized, practical way using the "Addressing" framework. This framework can be used with an individual of any cultural identity. The author has a wonderful way of presenting these concepts, especially when she asks readers to conduct a cultural self-assessment. The clinical examples are extremely helpful. Psychology students will really appreciate the way the book walks step-by-step through the therapeutic process. Each chapter contains a section at the end, "Key Ideas," to help summarize the information presented in the chapter. The book is readable and pragmatic, guiding readers through the therapeutic process quite nicely. The tables and figures are helpful in elucidating the material. Finally, the wide margins make for easier reading and provide space for writing notations.
Assessment: This edition has been updated throughout and there are new sections on trauma, people living in poverty, rural and minority communities, and how to integrate cultural considerations into cognitive-behavioral therapy. Readers will not be disappointed because it delivers the goods at an affordable price.

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