An Explorative Study of the Perceptions of Lower Social Class African American Families of the Working Alliance with Middle Social Class White Family Therapists

<p>This study examined the perception of families who received counseling by family therapists who were unlike them in race and social class. This study was conducted as a qualitative investigation, as the researcher engaged in the semi-structured interview technique with families who have undergone family therapy. This research study investigated how lower social class African American families perceive their working alliance with middle social class White family therapists. The purpose of this study was to identify issues of oppression and bias which may have been present in the therapeutic venue, which may prevent lower social class status African American families from seeking therapy. An outcome of this study was an opportunity for improvement of the multicultural counseling competencies of family therapists to improve the working relationship with diverse populations.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Campus Access Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educational Studies

Year

2012

Author dc:creator

• Martin, Julie Marie Lambert

Contributors dc:contributor

• Donna M Gibson

• Education
• Counselor Education
• Family Therapy
• Multiculturalism
• Race
• Social Class
• Working Alliance

Statement dc:rights

• © 2012, Julie Marie Lambert Martin

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/938

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarcommons.sc.edu:etd-1939