Transforming Careers in Mental Health for BIPOC Strategies to Promote Healing and Social Change

This book provides targeted advice to Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) in the mental health professions on how to navigate, resist, and transform institutions and policies that were not designed for them.

A diverse team of BIPOC leaders reveal their experiences of race-related stress and how they draw on cultural strengths and anti-oppressive frameworks to create more inclusive, equitable, and culturally affirming approaches to mental health training, research, and practice. This book illustrates how it is possible for BIPOC students and professionals to have a career that is more sustainable, allows authenticity to emerge, and sparks transformative change in clients, students, organizations, and society. It addresses the unique professional development needs of BIPOC individuals across different career stages and professional roles. Covering topics such as how to respond to microaggressions from patients, become a media contributor, or step into organizational leadership, each core chapter includes a discussion of the pertinent literature, culturally grounded theories, personal reflections, and actionable strategies for community healing and social change.

This essential guide will inspire trainees, practitioners, educators, and administrators in the fields of social work, psychology, counselling, psychiatry, education, and public health, to envision a path towards a more culturally affirming and transformative career.

The introduction, chapter 1, and chapter 25 of this book are freely available as downloadable Open Access PDF?s at http://www.taylorfrancis.com.

Introduction Part I: Finding and Owning Your Voice 1. Ethnic-Racialized Identities as Strengths: Navigating Academic Pathways that Affirm and Value Who We Are 2. Applying to Graduate School: Tips and Strategies for BIPOC and International Students 3. Experiences of International Graduate Students in Training in Health Service Psychology and Related Mental Health Discipline: Challenges and Reflections 4. Intersectionality and Graduate Students of Color: Addressing the Interplay Between Identity, Systemic Oppression, and Resistance 5. Addressing Racial Microaggressions and Racial Enactments in Therapy for BIPOC and Immigrant Clinicians 6. Decolonizing Research Approaches: Some Tips to Heal the Damages of a Sick World 7. Coping with Racism and Oppression in Higher Education: Overcoming the Imposter Phenomenon 8. Allyship as a Vehicle for Health Equity: Reflections on a Career in Community-Based Research with Indigenous and Black Populations 9. Finding Your Voice: A Community Conversation Part II: Taking a Leap 10. Soul Work: A Pathway to Help Heal Communities of Color 11. Developing Your Brand: Building a Private Practice 12. Combatting Racial Battle Fatigue: Navigating and Challenging Predominantly White Institutions 13. Radical Self-Care for BIPOC 14. Putting People First: Promoting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Industry Settings 15. Restorative Practices are Liberatory: An Open Letter to BIPOC Scholar-Activists and Practitioners Committed to Anti-Oppressive Practice 16. Integrating Social Justice, Black Feminist, and Radical Healing Mentoring: Lessons for Transformational Change 17. Antiracist and Anti-Oppressive Pedagogy: Putting Theory into Action 18. Broadening Your Reach: Disseminating Science and Knowledge for Maximum Impact 19. The Politics of Promotion and Tenure: Tips for Navigating the Process while Staying True to Your Values 20. Getting Your Message Out: A Community Conversation Part III: Leading for Change and Impact 21. Becoming a Media Contributor: Science, Advocacy, and Public Education 22. Instituting Anti-Oppressive Approaches to Supervision and Clinical Training 23. Transforming the Research Landscape through Editorial Leadership Roles 24. Living Our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism Values in the Academy: Engaging in Social Change Across Generations 25. Rooted in Justice and Joy: Collaborative Organizational Development 26. Leading and Managing While BIPOC: Emphasis on Goal not Role 27. Impact and Institution-Building: A Community Conversation Part IV: Concluding Chapters 28. Conclusion: Find Strength in This Community 29. Relational Approaches to Transforming Institutions: Guideposts for Aspiring White Racial Justice Allies

Doris F. Chang, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist, Associate Professor at New York University Silver School of Social Work, USA, and Co-Founder/Chief Clinical Officer at Unmute, a BIPOC-centered mental health start-up.

Linda Lausell Bryant, PhD, MSW is a social worker, Clinical Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at New York University Silver School of Social Work, USA.