Multicultural Counseling With Boys and Men: A Healing Guide

(From the Preface) Many years ago I was asked to give a presentation for medical / nursing students at a local university medical school. “Physician Heal Thyself” was the theme. We in the “mental health” field would do well to heed that call....especially when it comes to healing the dis-eases of racism....and all the other isms....sexism, homophobia, classism, xenophobia...that live inside each of us.....from growing and living in a world rampant with hurtful, biases and discriminatory behavior. Many of us have made a life long commitment to “doing our own work”........many of us...have not..........which can lead to further hurting ourselves, our clients, and those we say we love. Unfortunately...extensive multicultural counseling training........(taking deep dives into the wealthy white hetero male supremacy cultural values that we have all been continuously exposed to....and uncovering the huge impact on our lives, and how we work with our clients).... is not required of all counselors. It definitely should be. It is unethical that it isn't. The standard CEU's requirements for licensure and renewal in generic diversity training....is woefully inadequate to address such a critical issue...that deeply hurts so many of our clients.....so many of us. To do counseling work with folks who have been racial traumatized....when we have not done our own work....can re-traumatize our clients. What is offered here are some of the most basic and essential ingredients of multicultural counseling ..for boys and men....which I believe should be at the forefront of all counselor training...especially since it effects so many of our mental health problems. Many of us males, especially, are in great need of intensive training and ongoing support in doing this important work. We have all too few healthy role models, and inadequate training in how to be healthy people. Thank you for caring enough to explore this further. (From the Introduction) While this Guide is particularly offered for all counselors who work with boys and men, and multicultural counseling, it can be helpful to all who care about healing themselves and helping our world to be a better place. Helping ourselves and each other in healing from the wounds of racism...and all the other hurtful discriminatory effects and affects of sexism, homophobia, classism, xenophobia ...is a challenging, yet life affirming practice. Since my primary life's work has been as a trauma therapist.....and racial justice advocate....I decided to offer this for all my colleagues, friends, and allies in the healing field. Most of the articles and other pieces herein have been borrowed from my previous racial justice healing books. Being committed to healing myself, and supporting others in healing themselves.... it is my deep hope that you find this helpful with your own healing work, and the healing of your counseling clients and loved ones.