In a remarkably timely volume, editors Gelberg, Poteet (both, Cross Cultural Counseling and Consulting, Inc.), Moore (Argosy Univ.), and Coyhis (White Bison, Inc.) explore the principles of social justice and decolonization and apply them to mainstream American psychology. The book offers suggestions for practitioners to "reduce the likelihood of the irrelevant or inappropriate imposition of Euro-American worldviews onto psychological research” (p.viii). After an analysis of colonialism, its implications for bias, and harm done to marginalized groups, the contributors discuss implications and propose suggestions for decolonizing psychological practices. Topics range from an oral history of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and indigenous healing to treatment interventions for intimate partner violence of African American women and associated social justice issues for immigrants and Asian Americans. The volume ends with chapters concentrating on intersectionality, community healing, issues of identity, and decolonizing knowledge creation. A strength of the book is the varied nature of the expertise of its contributors, who range from academics to practitioners utilizing multicultural approaches. This book is recommended for anyone interested in decolonization initiatives.



Summing Up: Recommended. Most academic levels.

Choice Reviews

“Reading Radical Psychology: Multicultural and Social Justice Decolonization Initiatives fills me with both excitement and relief. In these racially traumatic times, all of us who claim to value justice must align our actual practice with our professed beliefs. The call is urgent. Here is our framework.”

-Robin DiAngelo, PhD, Robin DiAngelo, LLC

Robin DiAngelo

"Radical Psychology: Multicultural and Social Justice Decolonization Initiatives is a work that deals with social justice in the field of psychology in a practical and real manner which is long overdue. Issues like white fragility and privilege are addressed in a manner that is visceral and at the same time is intended to heal injustice. The authors have fulfilled Paolo Freire’s dream in that liberation discourse is about liberating the oppressed as well as the oppressor, and therefore an act of love." - Eduardo Duran, 7th Direction Psychotherapy, Assessment, and Consulting

Eduardo Duran

Radical Psychology moves the conversation forward in multiculturalism and social justice in an approach that is accessible to mental health professionals as well as those in training.

Joseph Chojnacki, Marshfield Medical Center