Racism And Racial Identity: Reflections on Urban Practice in Mental Health And Social Services

First published in 2006. This powerful book examines the emotional and psychological impact of racism, culture and identity within the context of racism, and racial identity in treatment. The book's contributors address the invisible aspects of racism (stress, abuse, and trauma), social functioning, domestic violence, and foster care, with a special focus on women and West Indian, Afro-Caribbean, and Mexican clients.Each chapter of Racism and Racial Identity examines a different facet of the impact of race and racism on psychotherapeutic work, emotional healing, and service delivery. The book's contributors draw from years of experience to provide a sociopolitical analysis of racism that places the social construct of race in a historical context.

Lisa V. Blitz, PhD, LCSW, is Director of JBFCS Genesis, an emergency domestic violence shelter for families, and teaches in the JBFCS/Martha K. Selig Educational Institute for social workers and the JBFCS/Adult Milieu Training Institute for residential direct care staff. She practice has a private psychotherapy practice in New York City. Mary Pender Greene, LCSW-R, ACSW, is practice Chief of Social Work Services at the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services. A past president of the New York City chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, she is on the executive committee of Black Agency Executives and is a member of the New York State Education Social Work Board.