Counseling Persons of African Descent (Multicultural Aspects of Counseling And Psychotherapy) [Paperback]

Thomas A. Parham (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0803953461 | ISBN-13: 978-0803953468 | Publication Date: March 19, 2002 | Edition: 1st

Though important strides have been made in the last three decades in the research efforts on African Americans, there continues to be a lack of significant new understanding about the impact of the African American culture on the therapy process and dynamics. This volume provides an in-depth analysis of the counseling literature pertaining to African American clients. Specifically, the analysis includes a review of the different variables (client, counselor, counseling process, and assessment) that have received the bulk of research attention. This sets the stage for the presentation of a counseling model for African American clients. The authors discuss philosophical premises upon which the model is based and suggest specific counseling strategies and interventions related to the model. Case study material is integrated throughout the chapters, focusing on individual and group approaches.

This volume is an important work for counseling professionals as well as for students in social work and counseling programs. 

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Counseling Persons of African Descent represents a major breakthrough in scholarship on African American psychology. Thomas Parham and contributors present a candid critique of standard therapeutic practice, they provide a clear conceptualization of African-centered psychology and the African American experience, and they provide mental health professionals with specific clinical tools to enhance therapeutic practice with African American clients." 

(Joseph G. Ponterotto )

About the Author

Thomas A. Parham, Ph.D.: Dr. Thomas A. Parham is Assistant Vice Chancellor for Counseling and Health Services and an adjunct faculty member at the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Parham is a Past President and Distinguished Psychologist of the National Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi), a Past President of the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (a division of ACA), and a Fellow in both the American Psychological Association, as well as ACA.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc; 1st edition (March 19, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803953461
• ISBN-13: 978-0803953468
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,939,622 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Thomas A. Parham is Assistant Vice Chancellor for Counseling and Health Services as well as an adjunct faculty member at the University of California, Irvine. Prior to his current position, he served as Counseling Center Director, and Director of the Career and Life Planning Center at UCI. Before returning to UCI in 1985, Dr. Parham held an appointment on the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He is a licensed psychologist in the State of California, manages a small private practice, has served as a Treating Clinician for the NFL's Program for Substances of Abuse, and speaks and trains throughout the United States and abroad.

For the past 30 plus years, Dr. Parham has focused his research efforts in the area of psychological nigrescence and has authored numerous articles in the area. Writing in the areas of identity development, African Psychology, and multicultural counseling remains his primary focus.

He has been interviewed and quoted extensively, in regional and national newspapers and magazines. He has also participated in the 2005 State of the Black Union hosted by Tavis Smiley which aired on the CSPAN network and appeared in the recent film, "Fair Game" (2010), Directed and produced by Mario Van Peebles. In characterizing him, some have written: "Parham is a gifted and charismatic speaker in the tradition of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. Indeed, for many his presence as a public figure is transformative; the power of his innate humanity and manifest love conveying an overwhelming sense of acceptance and understanding. You feel a great many things in the presence of Dr. Parham; mostly, you just feel better". (Mears, 2002).

A celebrated psychologist and author, his honors and awards are numerous. A sample of them includes: the 1988 Research/Scholarship Award from the National Association of Black Psychologists; 1989 Research Achievement Award from the American Psychological Association's Minority Fellowship Program; receipt of the Research Award for Contributions to the Counseling Profession from the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development in 1991; election to Fellow status of Division 17 (Counseling Psychology) of the American Psychological Association in 1994, and Fellow status in Division 45 in 1997; the Samuel H. Johnson Award for Exemplary Service and Scholarship from the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development in 1995; the Exemplary Community Service Award from the Orange County, CA Chapter of the N.A.A.C.P.; his election to the title of "Distinguished Psychologist" by the Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi's highest honor) in 1998; the APA "Dalmus Taylor Award" for Leadership, Scholarship, and Advising in 1999; and a University of California "Lauds and Laurels" award (one of UCI's most distinguished honors) for staff achievement in 2003; the Association of Black Psychologists, Certification and Proficiency in African Centered/Black Psychology - Board Certified Fellow and Board Certified Diplomate, July, 2007; the American Psychological Association - Division 17 - Society of Counseling Psychology Award for Lifetime Achievement in Mentoring, August, 2007; the 100 Black Men of America's Wimberly Award in 2008; an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the Phillips Graduate Institute in 2009, and the Janet E. Helms Award for Mentorship and Scholarship in 2010.