Essential Reads
These essential works cover a broad range of the issues identified as important areas for development by members of the Therapy and Social Change (TaSC) Network. Each of the readings balance critical analysis with a progressive and hopeful message. If you would like to suggest additional reading for this list, please email Jonny Day at newdaypsychotherapy@outlook.com
Appignanesi, L. (2009) Mad, Bad and Sad. From the depression suffered by Virginia Woolf and Sylvia Plath to the mental anguish and addictions of iconic beauties Zelda Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe. From Freud and Jung and the radical breakthroughs of psychoanalysis to Lacan’s construction of a modern movement and the new women-centred therapies. This is the story of how we have understood mental disorders and extreme states of mind in women over the last two hundred years and how we conceive of them today, when more and more of our inner life and emotions have become a matter for medics and therapists. Buy from Virago Books
Aspey, L. (2023) Holding the hope. The chapters in this thought-provoking, honest, moving and sobering book explore the frameworks, theoretical constructs and ways of working talking therapists have devised to hold hope and build agency in the face of this immensity of complexity, uncertainty, and injustice.
Atkinson, R., McKenzie, L., Winlow, S. (eds.) (2017) Building Better Societies: Promoting Social Justice in a World Falling Apart. We’ve been told we don’t need experts but we need them more than ever. This rich collection of thought-provoking pieces from leading experts about the importance of our social world can be a catalyst for debate and dialogue among all those committed to building a better world. Buy from Policy Press
Cooper, M. (2023) Psychology at the Heart of Social Change. Over the past century, psychotherapy – and its parent discipline, psychology – has built up a vibrant, nuanced and highly practical understanding of human wellbeing and distress. This book describes a progressive political approach that integrates insights from the psychotherapeutic and psychological domain, moving us from a politics of blame to a politics of understanding to create a world in which people can thrive. Buy from Policy Press
Charura, D. and Lago, C. (eds) (2021) Black Identities + White Therapies. This book springs from the continued failure of the counselling and psychotherapy profession to adequately prepare trainees to meet the needs of today’s multi-ethnic, multiracial and multicultural society. The editors, both highly experienced trainers and academics, have gathered together here a group of new and established writers who draw on personal and professional experiences to present an array of fresh ideas and approaches. Buy from PCCS books
Czyzselska, J. C. (Ed.) (2022) Queering Psychotherapy. LGBTIQ+ people are more likely than cisgender and heterosexual individuals to suffer with mental health issues, yet often have poorer therapeutic outcomes. Mainstream Eurocentric psychotherapeutic theories, developed largely by heterosexual, cisgender and white theorists, tend to see LGBTIQ+ as a singular group through this “othered” lens. In this volume, editor and psychotherapist Jane C. Czyzselska speaks with practitioners and clients from diverse modalities and lived experiences, exploring and rethinking some of the unique challenges encountered in a world that continues to marginalize queer lives. Buy from Karnac
Duan, C., & Brown, C. (2015). Becoming a Multiculturally Competent Counselor. Sage. This timely book covers the core concepts, theories, and skills of multicultural and social justice counseling. With a focus on helping readers develop their multicultural professional identities, the authors conceptualize multicultural identity development as the foundation for comprehending the pervasive impact of social privilege and oppression and developing competencies to effectively work with the culturally diverse. Buy from Waterstones
Popovic, S. & Miller, M. (2015) Blueprint for Revolution. Blueprint for Revolution ponders how we can use rice pudding, lego men, and other non-violent techniques to galvanise communities, overthrow dictators, or simply change the world. It explores avenues for those facing injustice to create a movement and challenge “The Man” for a brighter future, whether that be a healthier global climate or the fight for democracy. It’s a true David vs. Goliath story, taking notes from uprisings around the world, but in a way that is both hilarious and captivating. Changing the world for the better should come with optimism and joy, and this book by Srdja Popovic and Matthew Miller provides both. Buy from Blackwell’s
Ratts, M. J. et al. (2015) Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies: Guidelines for the Counseling Profession. A conceptual framework of the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC) visually depicts the relationships among the competencies’ key constructs: multicultural and social justice praxis, quadrants, domains, and competencies. Implications are discussed. Access here
Rosenberg, M. B. (2015) Non violent communication: A language of life (3rd ed.), This book increases our understanding of how words contribute to connection or distance. Our choice of words communicate what we want, to what extent we hear others even in disagreement, and move toward solutions that work for all and to live with choice, meaning, and empathic connection to have more satisfying relationships. Buy from Blackwell’s
Totton, N. (2000) Psychotherapy and Politics. The author poses a number of key questions, including: What is human nature? Are aggression and violence innate in us? Is the therapeutic relationship inherently unequal? And, is the political an appropriate topic for therapy and counselling?
Turner, D. (2021) Intersections of Privilege and Otherness in Counselling and Psychotherapy. The book addresses the absence of the exploration of the unconscious experience of privilege within counselling and psychotherapy. It not only presents an exploration of intersectional difference, but also discusses the deeper unconscious understanding of difference, and how privilege plays a role in the construction of otherness. Buy from book depository
Various (2018). The Power Threat Meaning Framework. Over the course of five years a group of senior psychologists (Lucy Johnstone, Mary Boyle, John Cromby, David Harper, Peter Kinderman, David Pilgrim and John Read) and high profile service user campaigners (Jacqui Dillon and Eleanor Longden) developed the Power Threat Meaning Framework as an alternative to more traditional models based on psychiatric diagnosis. It is not a single model or approach, but a broad, overarching perspective that includes many aspects of current theory and practice, and provides a basis for further developments. Access from the British Psychological Society
Watson, J. (2020) We Are The Change-Makers: Poems Supporting Drop The Disorder! Poetry has long been used to give voice to resistance and to drive change in all kinds of social movements. This is a unique collection of poems written by and for people who have survived our mental health system and the diagnostic process that is used to categorise and treat mental and emotional distress. Buy from PCCS books
Watkins, M and Shulman, H. (2008) Towards Psychologies of Liberation. The most comprehensive introduction to liberation psychology. The book explores the ways that communities and cultures around the world can work with professionals towards healing from collective trauma and oppression. An essential read. Buy from Springer
Journals
Psychotherapy and Politics International. An online journal, with articles dating back to 2003 (see archives here), exploring the psychological consequences of the political, both in theory and in practice. Link to Site.
Journal of Multicultural Counselling and Development. At the leading edge of developments in social-justice informed practices. Publishes research, theory, and program applications pertinent to multicultural and ethnic minority interests in all areas of counseling and human development. the official journal of the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD), a division of the American Counseling Association (ACA). Link to site