Counseling People of African Ancestry

Leading African and Africanist scholars explore common cultural values in African heritage communities and their practical applications in contemporary counseling.

Elias Mpofu (Edited by)

9780521887229, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 27 June 2011

352 pages, 9 b/w illus. 12 tables
28.4 x 22.2 x 2.4 cm, 1.07 kg

"Counseling People of African Ancestry is a valuable book that brings Africa to the forefront of professional counseling.... Counseling People of African Ancestry is intended for advanced undergraduates and graduate students in African and African American studies, psychology, education, public health, anthropology, and related disciplines. Mpofu aimed to offer a culturally relevant book that provides a comprehensive and integrated survey of counseling practices for people of African heritage, and he has done so. The textbook is a good resource that can be used by undergraduate and graduate students as well as anyone who wishes to know more about counseling persons of African heritage."
– Dr. Phillip Johnson, Western Michigan University, PsycCRITIQUES

This volume advances a uniquely Afro-centric, sociocultural understanding of health maintenance and risk reduction in African cultural heritage populations. It unites a diverse group of leading African and Africanist scholars in an exploration of common cultural values in African heritage communities and their practical applications in contemporary counseling. The chapters highlight the prominent health issues faced in Africanist settings today and use real-world experiences to illustrate core lessons for effective community action. The approach spans complex cultural milieus, from diversity counseling to conflict resolution. Each chapter includes field-based experiential tasks, discussion boxes, research boxes and case studies, which serve as valuable resources in both coursework and casework. Counseling People of African Ancestry is an essential primer for community health workers, counselors and educators seeking a better understanding of African cultural heritage settings to promote community health, well-being and development.

Part I. Foundations of Counseling in African Settings: 1. Indigenous healing practices in sub-Saharan Africa Elias Mpofu, Karl Peltzer and Olaniyi Bojuwoye
2. The role of oral tradition in counseling people of African ancestry Jacobus G. Maree and Cecilia M. du Toit
3. Assessment for counseling intervention Lynne Radomsky, Sofoh Hassane, Michelle Hoy-Watkins and Chiwoza Bandawe
4. Research on counseling in African settings Lisa Lopez Levers, Michelle May and Gwen Vogel
5. Deconstructing counseling psychology for the African context Nithi Muthukrishna and David Lackland Sam
6. Racial oppression, colonization, and identity: towards an empowerment model for people of African heritage Alex L. Pieterse, Dennis Howitt and Anthony V. Naidoo
Part II. Contexts of Counseling: 7. School counseling Elias Mpofu, Jacobus Gideon Maree, Joseph M. Kasayira and Carol Noela Van der Wethuizen
8. Counseling students at tertiary institutions Ilse Ruane, Joseph M. Kasayira and Elizabeth N. Shino
9. Family therapy within the African context Vinitha Jithoo and Terri Bakker
10. Pastoral care and counseling Daniël Johannes Louw
11. African refugees: challenges and prospects of resettlement programs Clemente Abrokwaa, Mary Shilalukey Ngoma, Edward Shizha and Elias Mpofu
12. Counseling orphans and vulnerable children in Africa Gertie Pretorius, Brandon Morgan, Magen Mhaka-Mutepfa, Mary Shilalukey Ngoma and Thokozile Mayekiso
13. Diversity counseling with African Americans Debra A. Harley and Kim L. Stansbury
14. Resolving conflict in Africa: in search for sustainable peace Joleen Steyn Kotze and Gerrie Swart
Part III. Counseling Applications: 15. Counseling for trauma David J. A. Edwards and Linda Eskell Blokland
16. HIV and AIDS counseling Lisa Lopez Levers, Elias Mpofu, Ronél Ferreira and Joseph Kasayira
17. Substance use disorder counseling Monika M. L. dos Santos, Solomon T. Rataemane, Elias Mpofu and Andreas Plüddemann
18. Career counseling people of African ancestry Mark Watson, Mary McMahon, Nhlanhla Mkhize, Robert D. Schweitzer and Elias Mpofu
19. Counseling people with disabilities Elias Mpofu, Grace Ukasoanya, Anniah Mupawose, Debra Harley, John Charema and Kayi Ntinda
Part IV: 20. Counseling in African cultural heritage settings: the challenges and opportunities Elias Mpofu, Terri Bakker and Lisa Lopez Levers.

Subject Areas: Clinical psychology [MMJ], Social, group or collective psychology [JMH]