Addressing Diversity Dynamics in Group Therapy

Alexis Abernethy, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and professor of psychology in the School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy at Fuller Theological Seminary. In 2021, she was named chief academic officer at Fuller.

"This is an incredibly important book for group therapists working in an environment, impacted today by the psychology of polarisation, discrimination, and dehumanization. Dr. Abernethy has assembled an outstanding cadre of group therapy experts reflecting unparalleled breadth and depth of expertise. They each write in ways that are scholarly and accessible as they address racial dynamics, racism, identity dynamics, and internalised beliefs about race, privilege, and power. This text illustrates powerfully the theory, principles and practices group leaders require to understand, recognise, and work constructively aswell as courageously in their groups."Molyn Leszcz, MD, FRCPC, CGP, AGPA-DF, professor of psychiatry, University of Toronto, past-president, the American Group Psychotherapy Association"Abernethy and colleagues have curated a compelling volume of pertinent and vital, culturally sensitive group therapy practices, that integrates diversity and a multiculturally oriented frame into the core of ethical and attuned clinical work. The authors provide clear ideas and direction that will guide the group therapy practitioner into a more systems-informed framework, that invites attention to power and dominance and how the need to dismantle dominance is just as foundational to our work as symptom reduction and healing. A must read for anyone wanting to expand and enhance their multiculturally informed teaching and practice as a justice oriented and thoughtful group psychotherapist."Michele D. Ribeiro, EdD, ABPP, CGP; (co) editor of The College Counselor’s Guide to Group Psychotherapy and Examining Social Identities and Diversity Issues in Group: Knocking at the Boundaries."This book is a compass for navigating the intricate terrain of diversity dynamics encountered within group therapy. Through a diverse tapestry of authorial voices and perspectives, the book weaves in various theoretical frames from mindfulness, systems-centered, to MCO with case examples and visual metaphors to aid the reader in illuminating their own diversity consciousness. From exploring unique intersectional identities to reflections on systemic training practices, each chapter provides a unique fruit that is a joy to taste and explore with accessible case studies and frameworks, making it an indispensable resource and a step towards weaving diversity consciousness into the fabric of group therapy practice."Vinny Malik Dehili, PhD, ABPP, CGP, Board Certified in Group Psychology, co-chair, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Taskforce, American Group Psychological Association, program chair American Psychological Association Division 49 (Group Psychology), vice president of the Group Specialty Council of American Psychological Association

• Introduction Part 1. Considering Diversity Dynamics 1. Identifying and Working Throuh Racialized Enactments in Group Psychotherapy 2. Addressing Power Dynamics in Systems-Centered Training Groups: Undoing Racialized Enactments by Developing a Decolonizing Group Culture and Weakening Closed Survivor-Roles 3. Adopting a Multicultural Orientation to Work with International Students of Color in Heterogeneous Interpersonal Process Groups 4. Hidden Diversity: The Invisible Oppressor of Classism 5. An Unsacred Silence: Conceptualizing Religious Dynamics in Group Psychotherapy 6. Diversity Consideratinos in Psychiatry Process Groups: The Medical Doctor as Trainee Part 2. Reflections on Diversity Dynamics 7. Rethinking the Group Leader's Interventions Addressing Diversity 8. The Work of Overcoming Racism/White Supremacy in Group Therapy 9. Applying Insights to Training: A National Instructor Designate Training Group