Overcoming Unintentional Racism in Counseling and Therapy

Any counselor or therapist, regardless of race, background, or motives, can engage in unintentional acts of racism. In so doing, they may inadvertently sabotage their own efforts and perpetuate the very problems they seek to overcome. In this book, the dynamics and the effects of racism in counseling are examined with an emphasis on the insidiousness of unintentional racism. Workable solutions and practical alternatives are proposed with the goal of eliminating unintentional racism. Numerous supporting clinical examples are included in order to help counselors gain new insights into their operational practices and to modify any behavior that may interfere with a helpful intervention. Written with great sensitivity and clarity, this volume will benefit all helping professionals including counselors, psychologists, social workers, student personnel professionals, nurses, ministers, and marriage and family therapists. "As Director of Training of the Counseling Program at Indiana University, Bloomington, and as a former professor in psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary, Dr. Ridley′s expertise in multicultural counseling and training is widely respected. In this book he shows counselors how to combat the kind of racism that too often goes unnoticed by counselors. This work is well researched, organized, personal, and clear. It will be helpful to all counselors, regardless of their cultural, racial, or ethnic background." --Christian Counseling Resource Review "Charles R. Ridley shows us how to combat racism in our interviews and clinical practice. This is a scholarly and practical book that I will share with my students. I know it will make a difference in their thinking, their research, and--most important--their behavior." --Allen E. Ivey, University of Massachusetts, Amherst "I like the author′s writing style, as it is clear, well-researched, organized, and personal. The impact of the book is designed to help all counselors--regardless of their cultural, racial, or ethnic background--examine and challenge many of their underlying assumptions and behaviors." --Gerald Corey, California State University, Fullerton "Charles Ridley provides many powerful and practical insights into a pervasive but much neglected problem counselors face in their work. Overcoming Unintentional Racism in Counseling and Therapy is a must read for any professional counselor who plans to work or is working in our contemporary, pluralistic society." --Michael D′Andrea, University of Hawaii at Manoa Note, above quote not approved, 7/5/94 wb "The text is filled with examples that illustrate specific, suggested interventions. I believe counselors from every school of thought can learn from this guide. It draws attention to issues that are relevant to training effective counselors." --Tina Q. Richardson, Lehigh University "Impressive balance and sensitivity is reflected in the author′s approach to this delicate matter--racism within the guild of helping professions. Clearly, the author′s intent is not to bash minds but to open them. Counselors with earnest interest in examining how their behavior affects counseling processes and outcomes of minority clients will find candid but useful advice in Charles R. Ridley′s book." --Jerome Taylor, University of Pittsburgh "Time taken in reading this slim, but densely written volume will be amply rewarded. Ridley urges counsellors to have a long, hard look at themselves and to examine their preconceived views, expectations and attitudes towards minority clients. Then, honestly to assess whether they need to make some changes. Chances are, we all have more work to do in this area if our aim is to be of best possible service to our clients and Ridley′s book is an excellent place to start." --Nigel Carter in The Therapist

"Taking an action-oriented approach, [Ridley] challenges counselors ′to examine the relationship between their behavior toward minority groups and the consequences of that behavior′... Many of his case study vignettes are helpful." (Patricia M. Berliner PsycCRITIQUES 2005-07-20)

"This book is both powerful and sobering.  It would serve as an excellent textbook for multicultural counseling classes.  It could also be a resource for counselors who are critically examining their therapeutic work with minority clients or for institutions evaluating the services provided to these clients.  Numerous examples throughout the book illustrate Ridley′s points and help the text to come alive.  This book and its message will be needed as long as minority clients have negative experiences in counseling due to counselors′ unintentional racism." (Kimberly Wagner Counseling Today 2005-09-30)