Being White in the Helping Professions: Developing Effective Intercultural Awareness [Paperback]

Judy Ryde (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1843109360 | ISBN-13: 978-1843109365 | Publication Date: January 15, 2009

In this reflective yet practical book, the author challenges white helping professionals to recognize their own cultural identity and the impact it has when practising in a multicultural environment. Judy Ryde reveals how white people have implicit and explicit advantages and privileges that often go unnoticed by them. She suggests that in order to work effectively in a multicultural setting, this privilege needs to be fully acknowledged and confronted. She explores whether it is possible to talk about a white identity, addresses uncomfortable feelings such as guilt or shame, and offers advice on how to implement white awareness training within an organization. Ryde offers a model for 'white awareness' in a diverse society and provides concrete examples from her own experience. This book is essential reading for students and practitioners in the helping professions, including social workers, psychotherapists, psychologists, counsellors, healthcare workers, occupational therapists and alternative health practitioners.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Judy Ryde embarks on a valiant attempt to emerge with the contentious, complex and immensely difficult issue of being white in the helping professions - Ryde provides many insights into personal growth and development in this highly charged and emotional topic - It provides individual helping practitioners wanting to act as change agents in ending racism in a profession's policies and practices with helpful tips and one woman's story of how she sought to achieve this aim.'- Professor Lena Dominelli, Head of Social, Community and Youth Work at Durham University

About the Author

Judy Ryde PhD is a freelance psychotherapist, supervisor and trainer of 25 years' experience. She provides supervision training across the helping professions within the Centre for Supervision and Team Development. Judy also supervises the BCPC Asylum Project which provides counselling and psychotherapy for asylum seekers and refugees, and was a co-founder of Psychotherapists and Counsellors for Social Responsibility.

Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers (January 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843109360
• ISBN-13: 978-1843109365
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,040,704 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From understanding the foundations of a white identity to exploring racial awareness and its training, October 13, 2009

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Being White in the Helping Professions: Developing Effective Intercultural Awareness (Paperback)

White people in the helping professions may try to practice without discrimination but often are unaware of their own cultural influences and their impact upon others. Judy Ryde reveals how white people have implicit and explicit advantages and tells how to work with and overcome this privilege when working in a multicultural setting. From understanding the foundations of a white identity to exploring racial awareness and its training, Being White in the Helping Professions is a pick for any seeking an understanding of being white in a diverse society.