The Influence of Race and Racial Identity in Psychotherapy Toward a Racially Inclusive Model

A revolutionary theory, a clinical watershed, a masterful text The Influence of Race and Racial Identity in Psychotherapy, Robert T. Carter changes the course of a century of psychological theory, practice, and education. He debunks the traditional belief that race has a marginal impact on personality development and, with compelling empirical evidence, demonstrates that race is the defining factor above other experiences of living in the United States and a crucial ingredient in the therapeutic process. Carter presents models of racial identity for all racial groups and offers numerous case studies of various psychosocial resolutions within racial groups. He constructs the first racially inclusive model of psychotherapy--a rigorous conceptual framework that affords clinicians a deeper awareness of how racial issues affect their dealings with patients--and creates a means of integrating that knowledge into their practices. The Influence of Race and Racial Identity in Psychotherapy: * Defines the decisive role of racial identity in personality development * Presents a racially inclusive model of psychotherapy * Describes how this model is applied in a clinical context * Proposes new counselor training programs based on this model. This immensely valuable text helps students in multicultural counseling and psychotherapy develop an awareness of their own levels of racial identity as well as those of their patients. For practicing therapists, it opens new vistas in the therapeutic process and provides new avenues through which to better understand and serve their patients.

ROBERT T. CARTER, PhD, is a faculty member of Columbia University's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. He is also Associate Professor of Psychology and Education and Research Associate in the Institute of Urban and Minority Education, Teacher's College, Columbia University.