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Creating Cultural Safety in Couple and Family Therapy pp 33–41Cite as

When Dominant Culture Values Meet Diverse Clinical Settings: Perspectives from an African American Supervisor

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Part of the book series: AFTA SpringerBriefs in Family Therapy ((BRIEFSFAT))

Abstract

Little has been said about how the ethnically different supervisor’s perspectives may challenge the dominant culture trainee’s values and beliefs in clinical settings. This chapter is written from the perspective of an African American female, Couple and Family Therapist, and supervisor. It examines several key areas where values and beliefs seem to differ: (1) time and its meaning to therapy sessions; (2) building relationship; (3) boundaries; (4) poverty and its impact on clinical issues; (5) involvement with larger systems such as the welfare system, etc.; and (6) parenting. Minority supervisors may help trainees see therapeutic issues from a different perspective.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Alliant International University, Alhambra, CA, USA

    Norma Scarborough D.M.F.T.

Authors
  1. Norma Scarborough D.M.F.T.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Norma Scarborough D.M.F.T. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Education and Human Development, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA

    Robert Allan

  2. School of Education and Human Development, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado, USA

    Shruti Singh Poulsen

Additional information

Editor’s Note

Norma Scarborough passed away unexpectedly early in 2016. Norma was a tireless advocate for families and family therapy, a bright light. She supervised countless family therapy interns and was an articulate voice for families of color and those marginalized by the dominant culture. Her high energy, positive spirit, and ringing laughter enriched all who knew her (and many who did not). Fortunately, her draft of this chapter was already completed. We are grateful that we can include her wisdom in this volume.

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© 2017 American Family Therapy Academy (AFTA)

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Scarborough, N. (2017). When Dominant Culture Values Meet Diverse Clinical Settings: Perspectives from an African American Supervisor. In: Allan, R., Singh Poulsen, S. (eds) Creating Cultural Safety in Couple and Family Therapy. AFTA SpringerBriefs in Family Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64617-6_4

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