Counseling Across and Beyond Cultures

Book excerpt: Multicultural counseling is a dynamic field, one that continually changes to reflect shifting social norms and to serve an increasingly diverse and globalized population. There is a growing need for counselors and psychotherapists who are sensitive and inclusive not only in regard to race, culture, and ethnicity, but also in matters related to gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, and class. Inspired by the pioneering work of Clemmont E. Vontress, the contributors to Counseling across and beyond Cultures trace the evolution of multicultural counseling and discuss remaining challenges for pratitioners. Essays include personal reflections by Vontress himself, assessments of developments in multicultural counseling, evaluations of Vontress's influence in Canada and the United Kingdom, and African and Caribbean perspectives on his work. Throughout, the volume offers historical, philosophical, and critical analysis of Vontress's accomplishments in the light of the changing epistemologies of multicultural counseling and psychotherapy.