Culturally Responsive Psychotherapy, Counselling & Psychology

This textbook brings together experienced educators, researchers, counsellors, and psychotherapists who offer insights on how to practice, teach, research, and supervise within a framework of social justice and cultural responsiveness. Readers are encouraged to reflect on their own role in making counselling and psychotherapy more accessible, especially for marginalised communities. The book challenges the language that often stems from a colonial mindset, focusing instead on the counsellor’s critical reflection and the ability to approach issues of equity, justice, and inclusion thoughtfully as core to the work.

It explores Eurocentric ideas about colonisation, binary thinking, and "othering" through the diverse perspectives of each chapter's authors. Each chapter tackles an aspect of counselling practice that will be reframed offering a more inclusive and culturally responsive approach. These practices will draw on six core principles: 1) decolonising education in counselling and psychology, 2) intersectionality, 3) cultural humility, 4) self-awareness and critical reflection for therapists, 5) engagement and connection, and 6) activism.

This textbook serves as a valuable resource for teachers, students, and practitioners of systemic practice, family therapy, clinical psychology, counselling, and psychotherapy, as well as for professionals in training.

Susan Sisko is a Senior Lecturer and researcher in psychotherapy and counselling at the University of Canberra, Australia, where she brings her extensive clinical expertise into the academic setting.