Diversity
Explore the importance of diversity in psychotherapy practice and research. This section covers topics related to cultural competence, inclusivity, and the ways in which diverse perspectives enhance the therapeutic process.
147 articles found
Understanding the Stressors and Types of Discrimination That Can Affect Multiracial Individuals
As the multiracial population is vastly growing in the United States (Humes, Jones, & Ramirez, 2011), it is important to know about the unique experiences that affect multiracial people, as these can arise in psychotherapy or during casual interactions in the clinic or office. Multiracial people are racially and culturally diverse and identify with two […]
Astrea Greig, Psy.D.
October 5, 2015
A Developmental Model for Healthy Individuation of the Transgender Client
Informed by the author’s 37 years of clinical experience with transgender individuals, this article presents an introductory model for clinicians who provide depth psychotherapy to this population. The author points out that primary concerns of transgender individuals in psychotherapy are often the same as most people; yet developing their transgender self without the “mirroring” from […]
Wei-Chun “Vivi” Hua, Psy.D.
September 24, 2015
That Day in the Empty Play Therapy Room
As the family play therapy session drew to a close, my young patient, Madison*, began to begrudgingly return the dollhouse to its usual orderly state and place the simplistic wooden figures back into their bedrooms with care. I remember smiling and playfully nudging Madison to action while patiently listening to a brief, but passionate, protest […]
Jonathan Jenkins, Psy.D.
September 17, 2015
Psychotherapists as Gatekeepers
Abstract In order to receive medically necessary gender-affirming treatments, transgender individuals are required to provide evidence of their readiness for gender transitioning. Most often, this evidence includes 1 letter for hormone therapy and 2 letters for surgery. According to the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care (SOC), psychotherapists or other eligible […]
Stephanie L. Budge, Ph.D.
August 30, 2015
Why Religion Needs a Seat at Psychotherapy’s Table
Adapted excerpt from “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Christians with Depression: A Practical, Tool-Based Primer” book in preparation. Buy your copy here: https://www.templetonpress.org/book/cognitive-behavioral-therapy Does Religion Belong in Psychotherapy? This question is posed by a lot of mental health practitioners. Here’s the short answer: If religion is important to our clients, religion will be part of psychotherapy whether […]
Michelle J. Pearce, Ph.D.
July 2, 2015
The Diversity of Perfectionism and the Early Career Psychologist
We used to think things would only get easier after graduate school. To even be considered for doctoral study required perfection: astronomical GRE scores, great field experiences, and evidence of research potential. The pace only picked up during graduate training. We now needed to earn top grades in each and every domain of psychology, become […]
Kevin S. McCarthy, Ph.D. + 1 more
June 2, 2015
The Therapy Relationship in Multicultural Psychotherapy
The most consistent and robust predictor of outcome in psychotherapy is the quality of the client-therapist relationship (Lambert, 2013). While we know that therapists’ overall competence and client factors, such as motivation, are relevant and important to treatment, the client-therapist relationship is considered essential to effective treatment, at least in most therapies (Norcross & Lambert, […]
Jairo N. Fuertes, Ph.D., ABPP, LMHC + 3 more
May 12, 2015
Cultural Training in Internship
Introduction In recent years, the importance of cultural training in the education of psychologists has been particularly emphasized (American Psychological Association, 2003). However, clear guidelines for cultural training have not been established. As a result, internship sites vary significantly in their notions of what makes cultural training effective (Brooks, Mintz, & Dobson, 2004; Constantine & […]
Tom Wooldridge, Psy.D. + 2 more
December 24, 2014
Talking About Race in Trauma Psychotherapy
Imagine that you are working with a client of a different racial background than your own. Should the topic of race be specifically addressed? If it is addressed, how do you go about starting this conversation, and more importantly, how might your therapeutic choices impact the relationship and treatment outcomes? Why Race Matters The ethnic […]
Garrett B. Work, M.A. + 2 more
November 23, 2014
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Rural Women With Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is a debilitating symptom that may or may not have an organic cause. In rural communities, chronic pain may be more difficult to treat due to patients’ limited access to care, lower socioeconomic status (SES), and geographic isolation (Thorn et al., 2011). Psychosocial approaches are viable options for treatment, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy […]
Alicia San Miguel, B.S.
September 15, 2014
The Arc of the Moral Universe
The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. So said Martin Luther King Jr. (1968). As I write this, on April 29, 2014, the sports world gave us proof of this. When the National Basketball League banned Donald Sterling for life from the NBA family and pressed for his removal […]
Armand R. Cerbone, Ph.D., ABPP
September 15, 2014
Course Syllabi Lacking in Multicultural and Social Justice Training
Stemming from an ever-growing focus on bolstering multicultural and social justice competencies within psychotherapy, many psychology and counseling programs continue to increase the incorporation of multicultural and social justice themes within the curriculum (Aldarondo, 2007). Generally, multiculturalism refers to the roles and perspectives of multiple distinct groups, whereas social justice is conceptualized as an intentional […]
Kelley Quirk
September 6, 2012