Culturally Competent Therapy

This book seeks to liberate and empower practitioners seeking to meet the needs of all the troubled children and young people who come to them for help. The need to respond effectively to every troubled child or young person has never been greater as the world witnesses a period of global anxiety. Increased migration, terrorism, ethnic conflict, globalisation and the widening gap between rich and poor nations are producing psychological consequences requiring skilled attention. Political reactions to the needs of refugees and asylum seeking families inflict emotionally damaging racist abuse and public persecution. Culturally Competent Therapy offers a timely response in these highly charged circumstances. This accessible, practical book provides: - a synthesis of psychodynamic and systemic theories for effective work with black and other ethnic minority families - a focus on developing a realistic, socially inclusive practice - an examination of the psychological impact of religious and spiritual culutral beliefs - an exploration of the use of world myths, fairy tales and legends in therapeutic work - an understanding of cultural differences and similarities in child and adolescent development Culturally Competent Therapy is an essential text for all qualified or trainee counsellors and psychotherapists, and anyone who works in the caring professions. This book seeks to liberate and empower practitioners seeking to meet the needs of all the troubled children and young people who come to them for help. Walker fills a gap in the available literature by addressing the needs of the changing demographic and ethnic tapestry of contemporary multi-cultural societies. This book extends classical concepts embodied in psychodynamic and systemic theory and provides practitioners with contemporary resources that reflect the changing external characteristics of society.