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Social Class and Classism in the Helping Professions
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Social Class and Classism in the Helping Professions
Research, Theory, and Practice

  • William M. Liu - Counseling Psychology Program, University of Iowa, University of Iowa, USA


October 2010 | 320 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Social Class and Classism in the Helping Professions is a supplementary text that is intended for courses in multicultural counseling/prejudice, which is found in departments of counseling, psychology, social work, sociology and human services. The book addresses a topic that is highly relevant in working with minority clients, yet has not received adequate treatment in many core textbooks in this arena.

This book provides a thorough overview of mental health and social class and how social class and classism affect mental health and seeking treatment. Social class and classism cut across all racial and ethnic minority groups and is thus an important factor that needs to be highly considered when working withádiverse clients. The book examines the differences among poverty, classism and inequality and how it affects development across the life span (from infancy through the elder years).

Most importantly, the book offers concrete, practical recommendations for counselors, students, and trainees.

 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
Chapter 1. Introduction
Definition and Focus

 
The Importance of Social Class in the Helping Professions

 
Research

 
The Helping Professions' Poor Understanding of Social Class and Classism

 
Sociology's Impact on the Helping Professions

 
Social Class, Socioeconomic Status, Social Status, and Classism

 
Social Class and Classism Multicultural Competencies

 
Conclusion and Summary

 
 
Chapter 2. Social Class, Classism, and Mental and Physical Health
The Context of Social Class and Classism

 
The Social Class Health Gradient

 
Social Class and Mental Health

 
Implications for Practice

 
Conclusions and Summary

 
 
Chapter 3. Problems in Social Class Measurement and Research
Problems With Current Methods for Understanding Social Class

 
Categorizing Social Class

 
How Is Categorizing Accomplished?

 
Moving Toward Subjectivity of Social Class and Classism

 
Implications for Practice

 
Conclusion

 
 
Chapter 4. The Social Class Worldview Model
The Context of Economic Cultures

 
Social Class and Classism Consciousness

 
Implications for Practice

 
Conclusion

 
 
Chapter 5. Social Class and Psychotherapy, Counseling, and Career-Related Issues
Counseling, Psychotherapy, and Helping Professionals

 
Social Class and Classism to Inform Our Work With Clients

 
Empirically Validated and Supported Treatments and Common Factors

 
Understanding Our Own Biases and Social Class Experiences

 
Career Counseling

 
Using Social Class-Based Interventions in Counseling

 
Implications for Practice

 
Conclusion

 
 
Chapter 6. The Impact of Social Class and Classism on Healthy Psychological Development
Social Class and Classism and Psychological Development

 
Quality of Child Care

 
Sleep Habits

 
Parent and Child Relationships

 
Impact of Media and Television

 
Social Class and Classism Traumas

 
Into Adulthood

 
Implications for Practice

 
Conclusion

 
 
Chapter 7. Greed, Materialism, and Affluence and Mental Health: The Rich Are Not Immune
Greed, Materialism, and Affluence

 
Consumption and Being Healthy

 
Materialism and Consumerism

 
Other Forms of Commodification and Consumerism

 
Consumerism

 
Affluence and Mental Health

 
Implications for Practice

 
Conclusion

 
 
Chapter 8. Classism, Inequalities, and Poverty
How People Make Meaning of Poverty and Inequality

 
Racism

 
Economic Resources, Economic Privilege, Economic Entitlement

 
The Psychology of Privilege and Entitlement

 
Classisms

 
White Trashism

 
Implications for Practice

 
Conclusion

 
 
Chapter 9. Integrating Social Class and Classism Into Training, Education, and Supervision
Training and Education

 
Upward Mobility Bias

 
Becoming Social Class and Classism Competent

 
Using the Social Class Worldview Model (SCWM-R) as a Training Tool

 
Training Experiences and Supervision

 
Privilege and Power

 
Conclusion

 
 
Chapter 10. Social Class, Classism, Advocacy, and Social Justice
Definitions and Contexts of Social Justice, Advocacy, and Empowerment Work

 
Definitions

 
Social Justice and Social Class and Classism

 
Advocacy

 
Empowerment

 
Conclusion

 
 
References
 
Index
 
About the Author

For instructors

Select a Purchasing Option


Paperback
ISBN: 9781412972512
£76.00

Hardcover
ISBN: 9781412972505
£121.00

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