"Cultural competence" has become a standard for all health and mental health professions and is essential to work with diverse populations. Expanding the definitions and experiences of culture, this book takes a specifically compassionate and introspective approach to addressing the continued biases dividing our classrooms and schools, explores how they manifest in this age of change, and provides strategies for school counsellors and other professional helpers within school communities. Twelve chapters grouped into four sections will 1) suggest new ways of considering student populations who may be seen, even heard, but seldom identified as needing unbiased help, 2) provide culturally considerate ways of interfacing with families, faculty, administration and community, 3) illustrate interventions via case vignettes and strategies from conventional and adjunct theories, and 4) support the need for self-reflection, self-care, and professional growth of school counsellors, social workers, and psychologists. Resources and useable references are also included.
The book culminates with a model for "Culturally Considerate Counseling" adapted from the author's work with veteran Corwin author, Bonnie M. Davis, who also writes a compelling forward to the text.