Applying a Social Justice Framework to College Counseling Center Practice

Abstract

Counselors are often challenged to address issues of social justice in the counseling context, and they must be deliberate and innovative in their attempts to respond. Counselors will be required to relate social justice considerations to their practices and to the theoretical foundations of these practices; they must then operationalize an approach that suits their particular practice setting. The authors present the early results of their attempt to meet this challenge.

Teaching and Learning Processes for Social Transformation: Engaging a Kaleidoscope of Learners

“…In the third level, professionals collaborate with community members in addressing social justice issues. Close attention is given to "who is not in the room" and "whose voice is not represented" when decisions that affect members of the community are made (L. Smith et al, 2003). Social transformation occurs when the changes that have taken place at the meso level are translated in such a way that social change at a broader societal level is fostered.…”

“…The groups vary from uniprofessional to interprofessional student groups, to groups with clients, staff, and faculty members as participants. This second level involves an examination of practice to explore the effect of oppression and other contextual factors on the lives of those who use the services (L. Smith, Baluch, Bernabei, Robohm, & Sheehy, 2003). Groups of individuals pay close attention to making services more accessible through appropriate use of language and culturally sensitive practices that meet the needs as defined by the clients.…”

Legal frameworks for and the practice of participatory natural resources management in South Africa

“…Applying social justice in a society involves evaluating the root causes of disparities among sub-groups of a population and then suggesting ways for eliminating them (Aday et al, 1999). Resolving inequitable distribution of power, resources, and individual or collective access to these resources is an important component of social justice (Smith et al, 2003). It is founded on the idea of fair distribution among subgroups within a society (Morris, 2002).…”

Social Justice Counseling: Toward the Development of a Fifth Force Among Counseling Paradigms

“…The need to make social justice a clearer presence in the field is primarily fueled by forces such as the continued marginalization of those who live on the fringes of society (L. Smith, Baluch, Bernabei, Robohm, & Sheehy, 2003); the growing awareness that well-intentioned counselors are not adequately drawing the connection between oppression and mental health issues (Jacobs, 1994); and the increasing realization that counseling paradigms, which focus solely on the individual without regard for environmental factors, may be limiting (Prilleltensky, 1994). These concerns have led to Manivong J.…”