Abstract

`The book aptly describes, explores and hits the core of very complex issues around race, racism, culture, difference, dual identity, stereotypes, immigration and alienation... It is also very thought-provoking, raising questions about one's own ability to work more flexibly in the consulting room with clients of different backgrounds.... It is excellent for a directory of resources, useful for training purposes and an enabling "role model" for good practice in counselling in a multicultural society. I enjoyed it.... It should be a required handbook on the shelf of every caring professional working within a multicultural environment or setting' - Transformations, The PCSR Journal

This book examines the many complex issues surrounding counselling and therapy in a multicultural society. It aims to sensitize readers to the cultural and racial setting in which counselling occurs, and to raise awareness of the specific counselling needs of those from differing backgrounds.

The book explores the impact of culture on identity, and of cultural differences on interaction. It looks at how one might take a client's cultural context into consideration, or deal with racism, and provides a sophisticated account of the salient value systems of Western and non-Western cultures. Contributors also challenge the suitability of a client-centred approach for clients from non-Western backgrounds, and explore the possibilities for transcultural, culture-centred and multimodal models of counselling in the West.
`[This book] consists of eight very compact chapters written by eight writers who, in my opinion, are highly skilled, sensitive, sophisticated professionals. They each write with the advantage of knowing that counselling in a multicultural society requires a unique understanding from a theoretical, practical and methodological point of view, with specific focus on black and ethnic minority communities, where mental health issues demand appropriate attention.... The book aptly describes, explores and hits the core of very complex issues around race, racism, culture, difference, dual identity, stereotypes, immigration and alienation in Britain.... It is also very thought-provoking, raising questions about one's own ability to change and work more flexibly in the consulting room with clients of different backgrounds... the book is very significant in providing food for thought. It is excellent for a directory of resources, useful for training purposes and an enabling "role model" for good practice in counselling in a multicultural society. I enjoyed it.... It should be a much respected and required handbook on the shelf of every caring professional working within a multicultural environment or setting' - Transformations, The PCSR Journal

`This is a very though provoking book and an invaluable resource for all counsellors' - Transcultural Mental Health On Line

`The chapter authors frequently refer to each other's work-phenomenon not always commonplace in edited publications. The decision to draw upon the expertise of this team of highly experienced practitioners has certainly paid off. Each chapter is well researched, sensitively written, challenging and thought provoking' - Counselling

`Stephen Palmer and Pittu Laungani have brought together a remarkably well qualified and learned group of practitioner/writers, from a variety of cultural backgrounds, in this interesting book' - Multi-Cultural Journal