ABSTRACT

Liberation psychology is an approach that aims to understand wellbeing within the context of relationships of power and oppression, and the sociopolitical structure in which these relationships exist. Liberation Practices: Towards Emotional Wellbeing Through Dialogue explores how wellbeing can be enhanced through dialogue which challenges oppressive social, relational and cultural conditions and which can lead to individual and collective liberation.

Taiwo Afuape and Gillian Hughes have brought together a variety of contributors, from a range of mental health professions and related disciplines, working in different settings, with diverse client groups. Liberation Practices is a product of multiple dialogues about liberation practices, and how this connects to personal and professional life experience. Contributors offer an overview of liberation theories and approaches, and through dialogue they examine liberatory practices to enhance emotional wellbeing, drawing on examples from a range of creative and innovative projects in the UK and USA.

This book clearly outlines what liberation practices might look like, in the context of the historical development of liberation theory, and the current political and cultural context of working in the mental health and psychology field. Liberation Practices will have a broad readership, spanning clinical psychology, psychotherapy and social work.

part |41 pages

Introductory chapters

part |51 pages

Working with young people

chapter |13 pages

‘Holdin' on'

Using music technology as a tool of cultural liberation with respect to performing masculinities at a young offenders' institution

chapter |14 pages

‘What's our story?'

Centralising young people's experiences of ‘gangs’, crews and collectives to promote wellbeing

chapter |11 pages

A clinical service for gender non-conforming young people

What can a liberation psychology perspective contribute?

part |48 pages

Working with adults

part |36 pages

Teaching and practice within wider systems

part |17 pages

Reflections on practice

chapter |15 pages

A passion for change

Liberation practices and psychology