Handbook of Multicultural Counseling

`This Second Edition of the Handbook of Multicultural Counseling marks an important turning point. It brings together the voices of some pioneers who have paved the way, and introduces us to new voices, who, while influenced by the pioneers, have taken different paths. Because the multicultural community is well represented in content and scholarship in this second addition, the reader can be assured that the view points represented in this book speak to the core issues of the field.

I am excited about this Handbook because the authors answer the question that is often heard at many a conference: Where is the research to support multicultural counselling? I am equally excited about this Handbook because it breaks new ground by using as its anchor, oral histories, which demonstrates that for many of us multicultural counselling is not simply a research agenda, but a life long journey, that cannot always be measured. The underlying theme of social justice only reinforces our commitment to this journey.

Drs Ponterotto, Casas, Suzuki, and Alexander have once again helped shape the multicultural conversation. To those who have often said, "Where is the research," look not further′ - Donald B. PopeDavis, University of Notre Dame

Its First Edition set a standard for a then-emerging field. Now, The Handbook of Multicultural Counseling, Second Edition presents not merely an update of the original, but a completely reconceived work, reflecting the many developments that continue to expand the field of multicultural counselling. This new edition features mostly brand-new chapters and expanded coverage of historical perspectives on the field (highlighted by personal accounts from some of the pioneers in the area), professional and ethical issues, counselling′s role in fighting oppression, psychological measurement, theories, research design, gender issues, and higher education issues. With contributions once again from the field′s key leaders as well as top emerging scholars, this new edition maintains the breadth and comprehensiveness of the original.

The Handbook of Multicultural Counseling, Second Edition is a critical resource for counsellors, counselling students, and other mental health professionals who seek to improve their competence in treating a culturally diverse clientele.

Joseph G. Ponterotto, PhD, is a Professor of Counseling Psychology at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Education, Lincoln Center Campus. His specialty areas are multicultural psychology, qualitative research methods, and psychobiography.  He is author of book-length psychobiographies on Bobby Fischer and John F. Kennedy, Jr. (Charles C Thomas,Publisher, 2012 & 2019), and the recently published The Psychobiographer’s Handbook: A Practical Guide to Research and Ethics (American Psychological Association, 2025). He also co-edited Beyond WEIRD: Psychobiography in Times of Transcultural and Transdisciplinary Perspectives (Springer, 2023) and is the author of nearly 30 psychobiography-focused journal articles.

J. Manuel Casas is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has published extensively on sociocultural, psychological, and contextual factors that negatively affect ethnic/racial populations including immigrants. He counteracts the negativity of these factors by directing attention to resiliency factors that can help these populations lead sound and healthy lives. His work has been widely cited both within and outside of the United States. 

Lisa A. Suzuki Is an associate professor in the Department of Applied Psychology at New York University.  She is co-editor with Dr. Joseph Ponterotto of the Handbook of Multicultural Assessment: Clinical, Psychological and Educational Applications now in its third edition.  She is also co-editor of Qualitative Strategies for Ethnocultural Research with Drs. Nagata and Kohn-Wood.  Her main research interests have been in the areas of multicultural assessment and qualitative research methods.  

Charlene Alexander is the Associate Provost for Diversity and Professor of Counseling Psychology at Ball State University where she is responsible for implementing strategic initiatives to support the diversity efforts of the university. Her research interests are in the areas of multicultural counseling, school counseling and the impact of immersive learning experiences on counseling students’ multicultural competency development.