Cultivating Relational Consciousness in Social Justice Practice

This chapter explores social work and community development practices in light of the urgent social, economic, and environmental issues facing the world today. Can those professions, established to support individuals and communities, overcome social disadvantage, evolve into new, alternative roles that seek combined human and non-human (animals, plants, living organisms) understandings leading towards transformative practices? Those professions are viewed within their own constructs and environmental agendas. Ancient and contemporary Indigenous knowledges are then considered, as they relate to the First Law of caring for their living country and living lifestyles. Two community development case studies are examined, involving non-Indigenous people in their community, and Indigenous traditional owners across a whole river catchment to address key questions: How can those disciplines contribute to ecological transformation? Can they appreciate and include non-humans in their practice? and How can Indigenous ancient and current knowledges contribute to social justice practice?

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Synergies for Wellness and Liberation in Counseling Psychology

The Counseling Psychologist ◽

10.1177/0011000003031003002 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 273-281 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Isaac Prilleltensky ◽

Ora Prilleltensky

Keyword(s):

Social Justice ◽

Counseling Psychology ◽

Physical Disabilities ◽

Status Quo ◽

Practical Application ◽

The Status ◽

Alternative Practices ◽

Justice Practice ◽

People With Physical Disabilities

Several fields within psychology, including counseling psychology, are struggling to promote a social justice agenda. Most efforts concentrate on a critique of existing values, assumptions, and practices. Whereas the level of critique is quite sophisticated, the level of social justice practice is rather embryonic. Critical psychologists have been constructing alternative practices that strive to go beyond the status quo and its critique. This article proposes an agenda for action that is conductive to wellness and liberation at the same time. The authors recommend several steps for advancing such an agenda. They argue that critical psychologists need to promote synergy between and among (a) diverse values, (b) wellness and liberation, and (c) existing critiques within psychology and other fields. To illustrate practical application, the authors discuss these recommendations in the context of people with physical disabilities.

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A Call for Social Justice in the American Counseling Association (ACA)

Journal for Social Action in Counseling & Psychology ◽

10.33043/jsacp.12.1.2-12 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 2-12

Author(s):

Counselors for Social Justice

Keyword(s):

Social Justice ◽

New Orleans ◽

Counseling Profession ◽

American Counseling Association ◽

The People ◽

National Convention ◽

Justice Practice

Leaders and members of seven social justice-oriented divisions of the American Counseling Association (ACA) met at a Social Justice Summit called by the Counselors for Social Justice in March 2019 at the ACA National Convention in New Orleans. The goal of the summit was to create conversations among members of these seven divisions around ways to improve social justice within the ACA. These discussions at the summit were transcribed and summarized for the purpose of creating a document to outline how ACA could improve its social justice practice. The resulting call for social justice in ACA includes three topics derived from discussions of social justice in the counseling profession: social justice in the organization of ACA, social justice for the people in ACA, and social justice at the ACA conference. Implications for improved social justice practice in the organization are provided.

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Social justice practice: A narrative inquiry perspective

Education Citizenship and Social Justice ◽

10.1177/1746197917710235 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 133-143 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Vera Caine ◽

Pam Steeves ◽

D Jean Clandinin ◽

Andrew Estefan ◽

Janice Huber ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Justice ◽

Narrative Inquiry ◽

Relational Understanding ◽

Dominant Narratives ◽

Justice Practice

Narrative inquiry is both phenomenon and methodology for understanding experience. In this article, we further develop our understandings of narrative inquiry as a practice of social justice. In particular, we explore ways in which social justice issues can be re-framed and re-imagined, with attention to consequent action. Drawing on work alongside Kevlar, a youth who left school early, we explore our understandings. Being grounded in pragmatism and emphasizing relational understanding of experience situate narrative inquiry and call us to think narratively with stories. This allows for movement away from dominant narratives and toward openings to imagine otherwise in dynamic and interactive ways.

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