Honoring Differences: Cultural Issues in the Treatment of Trauma and Loss(Series in Trauma and Loss)

Wars, violence, and natural disasters often require mental health interventions with people from a multitude of ethnic groups, religions, and nationalities. Within the United States, those who care for the victims of trauma often assist individuals from a variety of immigrant cultures. Moreover, many aspiring mental health professionals from other countries seek training in the United States, creating an additional need for a broad cultural awareness within educational institutions. Honoring Differences deals with the treatment of trauma and loss while recognizing and understanding the cultural context in which the mental health professional provides assistance. Training in the cultural beliefs that may interact with traumatic reactions is essential, both to assess traumatic response accurately and to prevent harm in the process of assessing and treating trauma. Various cultures within the United States and several international communities are featured in the book. Each culturally-specific chapter aims to help the caregiver honor the valued traditions, main qualities, and held beliefs of the culture described and prepare to enter the community well-informed and well-equipped to intervene or consult effectively. Further more, the book provides information about issues, traditions, and characteristics of the culture, which are essential in moving through the phases of post-trauma or other mental health intervention. Mental health professionals, trauma specialists, missionaries, and organizations that send consultants to other nations, will find Honoring Differences essential reading. It will also be a resource to those who are interested in cultural differences and in honoring the belief systems of other cultures and nations.

Table of Contents:
Foreword. Preface. Consultations amidst Trauma and Loss: Recognizing and Honoring Differences among Cultures, Nancy Dubrow and Kathleen Nader. Part I: The Cultures of the United States. Lifting Our Voices: African American Cultural Responses to Trauma and Loss, Michele A. Tully. Trauma and Loss in Native North America: An Ethnocultural Perspective, B. Hudnall Stamm and Henry E. Stamm. Trauma Issues and Social Modalities Concerning Mental Health Concepts and Practices among Mexicans of the Southwest United States with Reference to Other Latino Groups, Carlos G. Velez-Ibanez and Camilo Garcia Parra. Working with Southeast Asian People Who Have Migrated to the United States, Lane Gerber, Quynh Nguyen, and Phoukham Kelly Bounkeua. Part II: International Cultures. Trauma, Loss, and Resilience in Africa: A Psychosocial Community-Based Approach to Culturally Sensitive Healing, Nancy Peddle, Carlinda Monteiro, Vello Guluma, and Thomas E. A. Macaulay. Traditional Civilization in the North Caucasus of the Former USSR: Insiders and Outsiders Anatoly V. Isaenko and Peter W. Petschauer. War, Trauma, and Society: Consequences of the Disintegration of the Former Yugoslavia, G.T.M. Mooren and R.J. Kleber. Israeli Society between the Culture of Death and the Culture of Life, Dan Bar-On. References Between Trauma and Recovery: Some Perspectives on Palestinian's Vulnerability and Adaptation, Elia Awwad. Culture, Power, and Community: Intercultural Approaches to Psychosocial Assistance and Healing, Michael G. Wessells.