Cultural Humility: Engaging Diverse Identities in Therapy

The MCO framework involves three components—cultural humility, cultural opportunities, and cultural comfort—which together enable mental health providers to integrate culture into the therapeutic process. The first part of the book introduces the MCO framework, and outlines strategies for working to improve one’s level of cultural humility and comfort in working with diverse clients, as well as the ability to recognize and engage cultural opportunities in therapy. The second part of the book illustrates the integration of the MCO model with key therapeutic processes, including developing a strong working alliance, navigating value differences, repairing the relationship after cultural ruptures, and working within one’s limitations. Supplemental content to support instructor teaching is also available on the book’s website, including companion exercises and resources, lecture slides, a sample syllabus, and glossary of key terms.

Joshua N. Hook, PhD, received his doctorate in counseling psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a professor of psychology at the University of North Texas and is also a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Texas. His professional interests include humility, religion/spirituality, and multicultural counseling. He has published more than 300 journal articles and scholarly book chapters as well as several books. In his free time, he enjoys running, practicing karate, and cheering on the Chicago Bears. He lives in Dallas, TX, with his wife and two children.

Don (Donnie) Davis Jr., PhD, is a professor of psychology at Georgia State University. He received his doctorate at Virginia Commonwealth University and is licensed in the state of Georgia. Dr. Davis is a member of the Ken Matheny Center for the Study of Stress, Trauma, and Resilience and cofounded the Good Life Research Network. His work focuses on humility and virtues like forgiveness and gratitude, and the role of religion/spirituality in character development. He has published more than 300 articles or chapters in addition to books and is associate editor of the Journal of Positive Psychology. He is married to Cirleen DeBlaere and has three children.

Jesse Owen, PhD, is a professor and distinguished scholar in the counseling psychology department at the University of Denver. He is a licensed psychologist and holds various positions including lead psychologist at Lifelong, Inc., research director for CelestHealth, senior research advisor for SonderMind, senior research advisor for OrgVitals, and editor for Psychotherapy. Dr. Owen has coauthored three books and has over 250 publications. His research focuses on process and outcomes of psychotherapy with a focus on therapist expertise, multicultural orientation, and couple interventions, and he is cofounder of the Multicultural Orientation (MCO) Framework. His research has been supported by foundations, federal agencies, and private companies.

Cirleen DeBlaere, PhD, is a professor in the counseling psychology doctoral program at Georgia State University. Her research focuses on impacts of marginalization stressors on the mental health of historically disenfranchised people and the promotion of health and wellness. Her research has resulted in over 90 peer-reviewed publications, two coauthored books, over 100 presentations, and multiple keynote addresses. Dr. DeBlaere has served on multiple journal editorial boards and is a fellow of the American Psychological Association. Her work has been recognized with several national awards and she has consulted with colleges and universities across the United States, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and corporations.