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

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 bookáexamines 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. Features and associated benefits of this volume are as follows: 1) Provides the most thorough coverage of social class and mental health treatment, which will allow instructors to supplement their multicultural courses with this important topic. 2) The topic is timely as there has been great emphasis on social justice within the helping professions. Recent natural disasters such as hurricane Katrina and other catastrophes which have hit impoverished areas, have emphasized the need for class specific treatment approaches. 3) The book is highly practical with a chapter that outlines specific strategies for working with clients as well as training students and supervisors.4) Author is considered to beáa leading expert. 5) Cross-disciplinary market in areas of core competence for Sage (Multicultural).