Promoting Black Women's Mental Health: What Practitioners Should Know and Do

by Donna Baptiste, Adia Gooden

Overview

Promoting Black Women's Mental Health celebrates the strengths and complexities of Black women in American life. Many misunderstand and mis-characterize Black women and underappreciate their important contributions to families, communities, and the nation. In this book, a team of Black women mental health practitioners and scholars discuss a range of conditions that impact Black women's self-concepts and mental health. Drawing on a study of Black women across the United States, authors explore the social determinants of Black women's mental health and wellness and Black women's girlhood experiences. The book also explores Black women's stereotypes, their traumas, how they shift in relationships, and images that affect their racial and gender identity development. The book draws on scholarly and popular sources to present Black women's strength and challenges. Authors include commentary, case examples, reflection questions, and resources to improve practitioners' capacities to help Black women clients to recover, heal, and thrive.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781108823098
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	07/06/2023
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 8.98(h) x 0.83(d)

About the Author

Donna Baptiste, EdD, LCP, LCPC, LMFT, is Chair and Clinical Professor of the graduate program in Counseling at The Family Institute at Northwestern University, USA. Dr. Baptiste maintains a clinical practice with people of all backgrounds, including Black women and couples. She also has background in research, studying, writing, and conducting trainings on cultural-informed practices related to various aspects of Black family life.

Adia Gooden, PhD, received her BA in psychology from Stanford University, USA, and her PhD in clinical psychology from DePaul University, USA. She is now a licensed clinical psychologist whose work focuses on Black women and self-worth. She has provided therapy to many Black female clients and conducted continuing education trainings on cultural competence and working with Black women in therapy.

Table of Contents

Introduction; Part I. Black Women in Context: 1. Our Black Women and Psychotherapy Study; 2. Social Determinants of Health and Mental Health for Black Women; 3. Black Girlhood: Developmental Experiences of Black Women; 4. Stereotypes of Black Women: Clinical Implications; 5. Black Women and Trauma; Part II. Therapy Contexts: 6. Therapist Cultural Self-Awareness; 7. Building Strong and Effective Alliances with Black Female Clients; Part III. Core Themes in Black Women's Stress and Distress; 8. Strong Black Woman Persona: Mental Health Impacts; 9. Shifting in Black Women: Clinical Implications; 10. Black Women's Mothering and Caregiving; 11. Black Women's Romantic and Intimate Relationships; 12. Appearance Prejudice and Discrimination Against Black Women; Part IV. Helping Black Women Recover and Thrive; 13. Improving Black Women's Physical Health and Wellness; 14. Black Women's Inner Healing and Resources for Thriving; 15. Black Women's Spiritual and Religious Coping; Conclusion; Appendix; About the Authors and Contributors; Index.

Editorial Reviews

‘Promoting Black Women's Mental Health: What Practitioners Should and Shouldn't Do is an important resource that is practical, informative, and inspiring. This book provides thoughtful insights on integrating therapy, physical health, spirituality, and relationships for Black women. Most importantly, it encourages practitioners to look beyond survival mode and to focus on Black women's strengths and thriving.' Thema Bryant, author of Homecoming: Overcome Fear and Trauma to Reclaim your Whole, Authentic Self

‘Promoting Black Women's Mental Health should be required reading for health professionals and training programs. Black women deserve to be better understood and this powerful book continues that dialogue.' Gail E. Wyatt, UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, USA

From the Publisher