Building Multicultural Competency: Development, Training, and Practice

Currently, the mental health workforce is neither trained nor staffed in a way that appropriately addresses the essential needs of the growing multicultural population. This must change. The 21st century requires an innovative paradigm in multicultural psychology in order to improve the standard for mental health professionals. Building Multicultural Competency answers this need by providing a new Multiracial/Multiethnic/Multicultural Competency Building Model-a model that, in great detail, provides relevant solutions to this growing problem. This book will supply individuals, students, professionals, educators, and administrators who are involved in the field of psychology with a map on how to build the multicultural competency skills that will allow them to function cross-culturally. The resolutions are personally enriching, helpful to diverse peoples, and influential to other individuals, groups, and institutions.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 Foreword: Student Quest for Multicultural Competence Chapter 2 Introduction Part 3 Part I. Multiracial / Multiethnic / Multicultural Competency Building Model Chapter 4 Chapter 1. Cultural Trauma: A Critical Backdrop to Building Multicultural Competency Chapter 5 Chapter 2. "The Browning of America:" Building a New Multiracial, Multiethnic, Multicultural Paradigm Part 6 Part II. Promising Practices among Graduate Training Programs Chapter 7 Chapter 3. Creighton University: Beyond the Conceptual - Diversity Education for Faculty Chapter 8 Chapter 4. Counseling Psychology at University of Missouri-Columbia: The Development of an Integrative Multicultural Training Model Chapter 9 Chapter 5. Alliant International University, Los Angeles: An Anti-Domination Paradigm Shift in the Training of Community-Clinical Psychologists Chapter 10 Chapter 6. University of California, San Diego Student Counseling Center: Training for Multicultural Competence-A Different Way of Knowing Chapter 11 Chapter 7. University of California, Irvine Student Counseling Center: Lessons Learned Through the Commitment to Multiculturalism Part 12 Part III. Training and Mentoring New Generations of Scholars Chapter 13 Chapter 8. Training the Next Generation of Ethnic Minority Multicultural Researchers Chapter 14 Chapter 9. Multicultural Mentoring Chapter 15 Chapter 10. Managing Resistance: The Difference Between Success and Failure of Multicultural Competency Initiatives Chapter 16 Chapter 11. Challenging Dialogues: Working Through Resistance Toward Multicultural Understanding Part 17 Part IV. Forward Movement in hte Psychology Field Chapter 18 Chapter 12. The Evolution of the Multicultural Summit Chapter 19 Conclusion Chapter 20 Afterword: Student Perspective a Growing Edge

About the Author :
Joseph L. White, PhD, is professor emeritus of psychology and psychiatry at the University of California, Irvine, where he spent most of his career as a teacher, supervising psychologist, mentor, and director of ethnic studies and cross-cultural programs. Sheila J. Henderson, MBA, Ph.D., is associate director for I-MERIT (International and Multicultural Education Research Intervention and Training) and visiting associate professor in the California School of Professional Psychology, both at Alliant International University. She is also a Hans Sauer Research Fellow at the University of Humboldt, Berlin, Germany, an editorial board member for the Journal of Career Development, and a California licensed counseling psychologist in San Francisco.

Review :
This book is a must-read for students and professionals. Some of the most influential scholars and educators in the field talk honestly about ways to train multiculturally competent psychologists at all levels. The contributors talk about the challenges, but more critically, discuss concrete ways to train psychologistst as practitioners and scholars. Joe White and Sheila Henderson have indeed, provided a book of promising practices in multicultural training. But the real paradigm shift is that, as a whole collection, the editors of this book are creating institutional change. Psychology's interest in multicultural competence is truly historic. White and Henderson have assembled a pioneering group of leaders who offer a model and vision of a more inclusive psychology that brings benefit to those who have been ignored for far too long. This outstanding book presents an integrative model for multicultural competency development. It captures the personal and institutional challenges and the lessons learned in the implementation of multicultural programs and initiatives at universities, training programs, counseling centers, and internships. One very unique feature of this book is its emphasis on the importance of mentoring the next generation of ethnic minority students and its discussion of cross-cultural mentoring. This pioneering book provides the roadmap to help all of us to have the challenging dialogues that contribute to multicultural understanding. In Building Multicultural Competency, White and Henderson provide an excellent roadmap for the future of training American mental health professionals in the discipline of psychology. The book lays out where mental health training has been, where it is now, and how to get to where we need to be in order to have a profession that is marked by justice and equity. White and Henderson delineate the background of cultural trauma and then beautifully articulate a new model of training that they call the Multiracial/Multiethnic/Multicultural Competency Building Model. Their chapters are followed by examples of training in various university and institutional settings and by brief chapters on some of the core issues that continue to be important: resistance, mentoring, and training the next generation. Chapter authors express both successes and continuing challenges, which actually help balance the book and keep it from being overly optimistic and simplistic. Honest and open discussion of difficult issues.... This 'how-to' resource provides guidance when it comes to teaching multicultural issues and diversity...highly recommend it to all instructors. Over the years I have discovered that when struggling with a big question answers to consider always appear. Such was the case when determining how to most authentically teach and learn about multiculturalism, one of the cornerstones of our new College. For me Promising Practices in Multicultural Competency Training came right on time with the perfect information! White and Henderson have thoughtfully compiled for both new and older voyagers, a comprehensive guide for journeying into the world of multiculturalism- from concept to practice.