Developing Culturally Competent Marriage and Family Therapists: Treatment Guidelines for Non-African-American Therapists Working with African-American Families

Keywords

African Americans, marriage and family therapy, religion

Abstract

To serve African‐American families effectively, marriage and family therapists need to develop a level of cultural competence. This content analysis of the relevant treatment literature was conducted to examine the most common expert recommendations for family therapy with African Americans. Fifteen specific guidelines were generated, including orient the family to therapy, do not assume familiarity, address issue of racism, intervene multi‐systemically, do home visits, use problem‐solving focus, involve religious leader, incorporate the father, and acknowledge strengths. conceptual and empirical support for each guideline is discussed, and conclusions are made regarding culturally conpetent therapy with African‐American families.

Original Publication Citation

Bean, R. A., *Perry, B. J., & *Bedell, T. M. (2002). Developing culturally competent marriage and family therapists: Important treatment guidelines for non-African American therapists working with African American families. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 28(2), 153-164.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2002-4

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/7816

Publisher

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Associate Professor

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