Racism and African American Mental Health. Using Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Empower Healing

Racism and African American Mental Health examines the psychological impacts of racism within the African American community and offers a culturally adapted model of cognitive behavior therapy for more culturally relevant case conceptualization and treatment planning with this population. Readers of this text will gain a greater understanding of how manifestations of racism contribute to the development of psychological distress among African Americans and learn specific strategies to address the negative automatic thoughts and maladaptive beliefs that develop in response to racism. Reflection questions and guided practice are incorporated throughout the text to assist readers with application of the strategies discussed in their own clinical settings.

CONTENTS

1. Introduction to Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Its Use with African American Clients 2. Racism and African American Mental Health 3. Strengths and Potential Sources of Coping Within the African American Community 4. Developing a Multicultural Orientation 5. Facilitating Culturally Responsive Therapeutic Relationships 6. Assessment, Cognitive Conceptualization, and Treatment Planning 7. Working with Automatic Thoughts and Underlying Cognitions 8. Environmental Interventions 9. Putting It All Together: Major Depressive Disorder 10. Putting It All Together: Anxiety Disorders 11. Putting It All Together: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder