Victor De La Cancela

As the number of people of color rapidly grows within the US population, health providers in these communities have become increasingly aware of the need to address the concerns and problems particular to each group. It's also become clear that as the delivery of our health care systems evolve, a new approach must be summoned to build systems both cost-effective and socially responsible. Community Health Psychology offers a new and different perspective for redressing the gaps in our systems of care. The authors contend that in order to begin an attempt at eradicating the more intractable societal problems, health providers need to tailor themselves to a more culturally competent approach, which addresses all members of a community they claim to serve.

As the number of people of color rapidly grows within the US population, health providers in these communities have become increasingly aware of the need to address the concerns and problems particular to each group. It's also become clear that as the delivery of our health care systems evolve, a new approach must be summoned to build systems both cost-effective and socially responsible. Community Health Psychology offers a new and different perspective for redressing the gaps in our systems of care. The authors contend that in order to begin an attempt at eradicating the more intractable societal problems, health providers need to tailor themselves to a more culturally competent approach, which addresses all members of a community they claim to serve.

This challenging and insightful work wrestles with the difficult treatment problems confronting both culturally and socially oppressed clients and psychotherapists in a society where diversity has often been resisted. The authors question long-held assumptions within the profession and urge recognition of new ethnic, racial, and gender realities which significantly impact therapies. Recognizing the implications of cultural diversity in the society, the authors-clinicians seek to broaden health professionals' awareness of clients' needs and to promote the requisite empathy. They describe how ethnic, racial, and gender issues affect psychotherapy's progress and outcomes. Specific concerns about such key factors as self-esteem, gender roles, and social regard are addressed in a context supportive of diversity enhancement rather than one seeking uniformity. Case studies offer highly valuable resource material and, through the authors' explication, insights into their challenging perspectives on this highly important health service.