Customer Reviews

Counseling the Culturally Diverse: Theory and Practice

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

This is a controversial and challenging book as the previous reviews attest to. In my opinion, the negative feedback can be partially attributed to the rather overt biases the authors obviously have (rather ironic given the topic of the book). However, for all the faults of the book, the authors do challenge one's beliefs- an important aspect given that the intent of the book is to made future counselors more culturally competant.

Perhaps the authors can eliminate some of the harsh reaction to the book by taking the following steps in preparing the next edition (provided that there is one):

*include other groups- Where is the discussion on individuals from the Indian sub-continent and the Middle East? They have apparently been lumped in with "Asians" though there are significant differences between an individual from Saudi Arabia and one from Taiwan. Given the increased discrimination and hostility towards these groups since 9/11, the silence from the authors is deafening. Also, their discussion of "women" and "gender issues" totally leaves out stereotypes of males. How can one have a dialogue on gender issues if one is only addressing one gender?

*address heterogeneity of African Americans- The authors are quick to note how heterogeneous the Asian American and American Indian/Native Alaskan population is but make no mention of the heterogeneity of African Americans. Why is this?

*avoid loaded language

*make sure that statements that appear as fact have sources and that they are used apporpriately- The lack of sources for bold/controversial statements of "fact" and improperly used sources hurt the credibility of the book (check at random for examples).

*show a little more respect for the heterogeneity and diversity of Euro-Americans- the authors justify this by asking the question: "If you want to understand oppression, should you ask the oppressor or the oppressed?" (p. 239). Hum. Well, OK but how does this perspective help one understand this group's heritage, beliefs, values, and the cultural influence they have? Assuming that the majority of the readers are Euro-American, how does labeling all Whites as racist help this group? Is the blatant disrespect shown this group a good model for how this group should respond to other groups? If individuals from this group are to work through their cultural identity, how does this perspective help them? I recommend that the authors have their Euro-American students read a draft of this chapter for the next edition and then reflectively consider the feedback rather than blowing it off as racism.

While I did feel challenged in some ways by this text, I failed to get what I truly longed for from it- A thoughtful and balanced look at the multicultural issues facing the U.S.

It is sad that the book used by so many schools to introduce therapists to the subject of cultural diversity is a collection of generalized stereotypes. The first few chapters are dedicated to showing white people how wrong, misguided, and privileged they are. They group all white people into one defined category of unintentionally delusional racists. Their argument is that psychotherapy, in its current state, works for white people and not other minorities. Though, in some aspects, this may be true, their tone implies that this is because the creators were racist. What the Sues fail to point out is that the creators were not necessarily racist, they were white, they knew about white culture, and developed theories based on their experiences. It is my hope that the Sues will change the tone of their book before its next printing as it can turn away people who do not feel like defending themselves against their stereotypes. If you have not been assigned this book for a class, you may be better off reading something else until the Sues are able to let go of their own racist biases.

Sue and Sue are generally objective, comprehensive individuals, but this book was utterly antithetical to their usual work. This book is blatantly anti-white as oppossed to multiculturally sensitive. The authors focused on a select few minority groups and their issues rather than identifying other minority groups that are in need (i.e. Eastern Europeans, Same-sex, etc.). This could have been accomplished had they done away with the multiple chapters dedicated to griping about the biased majority/white males.

As flawed as it is, it does have some upsides. The latter chapters that deal with particular cultural/racial mores/worldviews and general psychosocial makeup were highly viable and beneficial. There are also several identity development models that are somewhat useful.

All in all, the book is approx. 40% biased and 60% educational/useful. If you can stand the whinning that goes on throughout the book - particularly in the early chapters - and can get to the meat of the last chapters, than buy it used to get your money's worth. If you are expecting a comprehensive, objective review of multicultural counseling/therapeutic models, then save your money for a journal and/or publication.

A graduate student's review.

We have been using this book in our Cultural Diversity class. Although I find some very useful information in this text, one has to sit through the material couched in Ultra liberal bias and anti-White propaganda. I admit that much harm has come from the past American generations, but this book seems like it wants us to be ashamed of being White. All other cultures presented in this text are allowed their bigotry and racist (one culture believing it is superior to another--unlike Sue & Sue's definition that you can only be a racist if you are of the majority culture) agenda; however, the White culture cannot have theirs without being viewed in a negative light. We need solutions on how to be more accepting of all cultures within the borders of these United States, not a book that segregates and blames White culture. I was hoping to study a book that offers information on differing cultures and how to appreciate them more instead of a book that tries to make me feel bad about my heritage.

This text is required for a course in Cross Cultural Counseling for a Masters Program at NYU. I find it deeply disturbing that a book filled with stereotypes of all races, ethnicities and cultures is being used to allegedly foster a deeper consideration of culture in counseling situations. The only positive thing I can say is that it is equally offensive to everyone - no race or culture is spared. The "culturally incompetent white counselor", the "powerless" african american, the "family-oriented (and always late) Puerto Rican, the "confused" multiracial, the "collectivist" Asian American... the list goes on and on. Many of the studies cited are dated, while others are recitations of other work done by - you guessed it - Sue and Sue. I urge anyone who is required to use this textbook to challenge their professors - it may lead to some productive dialogue about race, ethnicity, culture and counseling. Otherwise, this text is an insulting waste of time.

I was disappointed with this text. The authors repeat the same themes numerous times with little original insight. It seems to me that they are more interested in perpetuating stereotypes then providing students with any educating information.

I have read this book in my Cultural Diversity class. This text does have some extremely interesting & helpful information. The horrible thing is that if you are White, you are automatically a racist among other things. Certainly there has been horrible happenings even from our founding fathers BUT the book clearly has that same ancient mindset. This book should be more open-minded in its own right and treat the "White" culture as equally as all other cultures. As a Hispanic-American, the book was offensive even to me. Instead of studying about different cultures and maybe even becoming more acculturated, all this book did was try to get me to dislike "White" people.

Counseling The culturally Diverse: Theory and Practice is culturally competent and provides detailed cultural nuances and statistics. Which are often missing from other works. It's a well written and informative text. The authors succeeded in writing a fair,and balanced text. It will remain in my library as a reference tool.

I must add my disappointment to many others who have already posted here. This book is required reading in my masters in counseling course, and I was hoping for something that would provide valuable guidelines to reach across cultures in counseling. Unfortunately, Sue & Sue make it quite clear that the only reaching across cultures to be done is by White Americans. Whites are painted as being responsible for all bias in our country while non-Whites are to be held responsible for nothing. Period.

Just because these two authors (or any authors, for that matter) are considered the experts in their field does not mean they are necessarily correct. It is impossible for any human being to approach any subject without bias, yet overall Sue & Sue hold only Whites accountable for recognizing and correcting their biases. At the same time the authors' own bias paints Whites with the same broad stroke they so hate when Whites apply it to minorities.

In a day and time when race relations could have an unprecedented opportunity for improvement, Drs. Sue & Sue promote an insidious bias against Whites. Their book does nothing to move us forward. In fact, it might just set us back about 150 years.

This book is the worst textbook I have yet come across in my education as of yet. The authors repeat the same theme many times before they move on. Many of the chapters could have been shorter. I felt as if the authors had in mind to write a book for complete morons!
Besides for the idiotic writing, what's up with all of the racist rhetoric?!? The authors are clearly racist towards the "white folk", as they label white people. Every example of racism or underserved minorities, or anything of the like are overtly blamed on the "white folk". Just leave it out and teach us how to provide services for minorities! The authors make it sound as if every white male in this country is a racist and sexist bigot, who also hates disabled individuals. I can go on and on, but I will stop here.
Then finally, there is the very unprofessional bashing of other scholarly works, such as the Bell Curve, and others. Absolutely childish and uncalled for.
If you can get away without purchasing this textbook, do so! It is a waste of money.