Description
Practicing psychotherapists; teachers, trainers, and supervisors in disability studies, cultural diversity, clinical and counseling psychology, and related mental health disciplines; graduate-level students; administrators, policy makers, and advocacy groups within the disability community. Serves as a text for graduate-level courses in disability studies, family therapy, rehabilitation psychology, health psychology, and multicultural counseling, and for diversity courses within clinical psychology.
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This comprehensive volume provides the knowledge and skills that mental health professionals need for more effective, informed work with clients with disabilities. Combining her extensive knowledge as a clinician, researcher, and teacher with her personal experience as someone with a disability, Olkin provides an insider's perspective on critical issues that are often overlooked in training. A lucid conceptual framework is presented for understanding disability as a minority experience, one that is structured by social, legal, and attitudinal constraints as well as physical challenges. Illuminating frequently encountered psychosocial themes and concerns, chapters describe a range of approaches to dealing with disability issues in the treatment of adults, children, and families. Topics addressed include etiquette with clients with disabilities; special concerns in assessment, evaluation, and diagnosis; the impact of disability on sexuality and romance, as well as pregnancy, birthing, and parenting; the use of assistive technology and devices; disability and substance abuse; and more. Filled with clinical examples and observations, the volume also discusses strategies for enhancing teaching, training, and research.
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