Racism in Psychology: Challenging Theory, Practice and Institutions

Racism in Psychology examines the history of racism in psychological theory, practice and institutions.

The book offers critical reviews by scholars and practising therapists from the US, Africa, Asia, Aoteoroa New Zealand, Australia and Europe on racism on the couch and in the wider socio-historical context. The authors present a mixed experience of the success of efforts to counter racism in theory, institutions and organisations and differing views on the possibility of institutional change. Chapters discuss the experience of therapists, anti-Semitism, inter-sectionality and how psychological praxis is part of a colonialist project.

The book will appeal to practising psychologists and counsellors, socially minded psychotherapists, social workers, sociologists and students of psychology, social studies and race relations.

Review:

A timely, valuable and comprehensive collection of reflections on racism in psychology, from prominent practitioners in the field. In a period of social, political and economic upheaval and unrest, this book encourages and supports the psychology industry as a whole to develop a critical consciousness about the ways in which we replicate and maintain societal racism, and to engage in deliberate, decisive and consistently anti-racist actions. It is only in so doing that we will progress towards a fair and just future for those within the psychology industry and those we serve - a future in which all can thrive. A must-read for anyone involved in the psy complex.

Kat Alcock, Clinical Psychologist. Principal Clinical Tutor, Senior Admissions Tutor, EDI Lead, UCL DClinPsy. Founder of Valued Voices Mentoring Scheme. University College London

Racism in Psychology is a wake-up call to clinical and other psy disciplines to not just de-colonise, but to modernise, and what is really needed, revolutionise. Each chapter dissects the history, practice and education of clinical psychology and psychiatry, using different lenses finding a stagnant pool of racism, unmotivated to change by tokenistic, neo-liberal acknowledgments of a parlous state. This volume does not just de-construct, it also constructs. Through the frequent injection of 'othered' viewpoints it gives a vision of how things could be different, if we actually heard and gave equal space to different cultural positions. It introduces energising and modern concepts such as 'super-diversity', recognising that Victorian categorisation is out, and identities that are 'fluid, hybrid and occasioned' are in. It takes a hard look at psychology, calling for a radical overhaul, and ultimately recognising that the past is no longer an excuse for more of the same in the future.

Jan Burns, Professor, Clinical Psychology at Canterbury Christ Church University, UK; Head of Eligibility, the International Federation for Para-athletes with Intellectual Impairments (INAS)