Counseling the Black Male

Psychotherapy With African American Men: What We Know and What We Need to Know

“…For example, Jones and Gray (1983) reported that for non-White men the rate of involvement in outpatient clinics was 40% higher than the rate for White men. African American men were also reported to be disproportionately represented among psychiatric inpatients (Jones & Gray, 1983;Leashore, 1981;Task Panel Reports, 1978;Warfield & Marion, 1985). Research suggests that African Americans, in general, tend to be younger when admitted to psychiatric facilities (Taube & Barrett, 1985); they are more likely than Whites to be involuntarily committed, and the commitment is less likely to be initiated by a spouse or family member (Task Panel Reports, 1978).…”

“…First, several of the articles reviewed presented arguments emphasizing the importance of therapists having a n understanding of Afi-ican American history and culture when working with African American male clients (Bell, 1996;Franklin, 1992;Hilliard, 1985;Jones & Gray, 1983: June, 1986Larrabee, 1986;Lee, 1990;Pope, 1986;Thomas, 1985;Warfield & Marion, 1985;Washington, 1987). This importance seems to stem from three factors:…”

“…Second, the literature recommended that therapists gain an understanding of how the dynamics involved in the social and political systems of the United States affect African American men (Bell, 1996;Franklin, 1992;Hilliard, 1985;Jones & Gray, 1983;Kirk, 1986;Lee, 1990;Thomas, 1985;Warfield & Marion, 1985;Washington, 1987). According to Kirk, if therapists aid their African American male clients in becoming more aware of social and political restraints that impede their progress into mainstream American society, they can develop more realistic expectations regarding their opportunitiesor inability-to assimilate into White American society.…”

“…According to Kirk, if therapists aid their African American male clients in becoming more aware of social and political restraints that impede their progress into mainstream American society, they can develop more realistic expectations regarding their opportunitiesor inability-to assimilate into White American society. Third, because it is inevitable that therapists will be influenced by the society of which they are a part, they were encouraged to be sensitive to their own worldview and to the possibility that countertransference will be triggered by client behaviors within that context (Gunnings & Lipscomb, 1986;Pope, 1986;Warfield & Marion, 1985;Washington, 1987;Wilson & Stith, 1991). Furthermore, counselors were encouraged to erase stereotypical thinking about the African American man from their beliefs and value system (Bell, 1996) and were cautioned about using their knowledge of African American history and culture to predetermine the place or role African American men should have in this society (Warfield & Marion, 1985).…”

“…Furthermore, African American men make up 47% of the U.S. prison population (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1995). The difficulties encountered by African American men have led some to refer to them as a n "endangered species" (Parham & McDavis, 1987;Thomas, 1985;Warfield & Marion, 1985). Although the label of "endangered species" seems to be a n extreme way of calling attention to the many difficulties experienced by African American men, U S .…”