The Palgrave Handbook of Innovative Community and Clinical Psychologies

This handbook highlights a range of ground breaking, radical and liberatory clinical and critical community psychology projects from around the world. The disciplines of critical community psychology and clinical psychology are currently experiencing radical innovations that in this book are characterised as moving from the individualising practice realm toward an altogether more contextualising orientation. Both fields are responding to an array of political, social and economic injustices and a global political context. Community and clinical psychologists have found themselves reorienting their practice to confront, resist and subvert the structures that are so damaging to the lives of the vulnerable people they work with. This text posits that these approaches refute and resist the psychologising that has strengthened oppressive structures. Such practices are starting to engage in the political character of power-knowledge relationships that demand a more 'action-oriented' and less 'clinical' psychology praxis and there is a growing interest in, and commitment to, social justice in the field of mental wellbeing. Using examples of scholar, activist and practitioner work from around the world, this collection explores and documents those practices where the traditional remits of community and clinical psychology have been subverted, altered, stretched, changed and reworked in order to reframe practice around human rights, creativity, political activism, social change, space and place, systemic violence, community transformation, resource allocation and radical practices of disruption and direct action. Carl Walker is a community psychologist at the University of Brighton and a borough councillor in Worthing, UK. He is on the British Psychological Society's Community Psychology section committee. Sally Zlotowitz is a clinical and community psychologist working in various roles including as Director of Public Health and Prevention at MAC-UK. She is past chair of the British Psychological Society's Community Psychology section and a co-founder of Psychologists for Social Change. Anna Zoli is a senior lecturer in Psychology, and course leader of the MA Community Psychology at the University of Brighton, UK. She is on the British Psychological Society's Community Psychology section committee, and a fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) Contents List of Figures List of Tables List of Boxes 1: Introduction The Current Context in the UK and Beyond in 2019 Responding to Rising Distress Moving from the Marginal to Mainstream: The Opportunities and Challenges The Everyday Challenges of Working Differently Possible Futures About This Book References Part I: Clinical Psychology and Political Activism 2: Building Alliances with Marginalised Communities to Challenge London’s Unjust and Distressing Housing System Aysen’s Story ‘The Housing and Mental Health Network’ The Unjust Housing System in London The Impact of Injustices in the Housing System How Did the Network Begin? What Have We Been Doing So Far? Our Hoped for Aims and the Realities of Organising Just Do It! References 3: Growing a Movement: Psychologists for Social Change An Introduction to Psychologists for Social Change Drives and Origins Strategy Formation Looking Inwards: Mobilising Psychologists Looking Outwards: Mobilising Psychological Knowledge Partnerships and Solidarity Adapting to Changing Contexts: Creating an Umbrella Name Culture and Organising Methods Building a Movement: Key Lessons References 4: Getting off the Fence and Steppin’ Outta the Clinic Room Walk the Talk Action-Focussed Teaching How to... Get off the Fence References 5: Taking a Position Within Powerful Systems Understanding Distress Problems with Diagnosis The (Slowly) Changing Landscape of Understanding Distress Clinical Realities of Working with Distress Positions on Diagnosis Integrating Diagnosis and Trauma/Distress Approaches Questioning Diagnosis Protesting and Activism What Then Can We Do? References 6: Supporting Activists and Progressive Social Movements Psychology for Activists Social Movements Typical Challenges Activists Face Patterns of Group Dynamics Feelings Framework: A Social Ecology of Activist Groups Individual Level of Participation in Activist Groups Group/Organizational Level Cultural/Societal/Political/Economic and Strategic Levels Imagine: Psychosocial Understandings in Practice Groupthink Group Bogged Down in Process Issues Intellectualizing and Divisive Debates over Minor Issues Tensions About How Meeting Time Is Used Racist, Sexist, Homophobic, Ageist, or Ableist Remarks and Actions Frequent “Calling Out” of Members for Oppressive Behaviors Disruptive Behavior New Group Members Have Trouble Understanding What’s Going On Counseling, Therapy, and Support Groups Changing the (Life)World: A Paradigm Shift Decoloniality Conclusion: A Call for Therapeutic Contagion References 7: Statactivism and Critical Community Psychology: Using Statistical Activism to Resist Injustice in the NHS and Higher Education Introduction Statistical Activism Statactivism and Critical Community Psychology Statactivism in Action—Two Cases NHS Privatisation in Brighton The Brighton Citizens’ Health Services Survey HE Marketisation in England The National Senior Management Survey Concluding Thoughts on Statactivism and Critical Community Psychology References Part II: Working in Radical and Disruptive Spaces References 8: Reflexively Interrogating (De)colonial Praxes in Critical Community Psychologies Psychologies and the Decolonial Turn Decolonising Critical Community Psychologies Indigenisation Denaturalisation Accompaniment The Ebb and Flow of (De)coloniality: A Reflexive Analysis Context Scope Community-Driven Epistemic Disobedience Concluding Remarks References 9: Options: Conversation in Collaboration Prologue Duncan’s Story Jan’s Story Hannah’s Story Mark’s Story Theories, Feelings and Practices Having a Conversation Community in Mind Warming the Context Witnessing, Uncertainty and Dialogue Angie’s Story Reflections Final Thoughts References 10: Protesting Against Property Foreclosures in a Fragmentized Socio-Political Sphere: An Action-Oriented Model Introduction The Fragmented Socio-Political Sphere in Crisis-Ridden Greece The Local Context and the Emergence of SAOR The Neoliberal Myth of Austerity: Indebted Personhood in a Bankrupt Nation The Step from “Research on” to “Action-Oriented Research” The Dispute Between an Ethnocentric and a Left-wing Discourse Crossing the Blurred Lines of Politics: A First-Person Reflection Focus Group: The Aftermath of the Tumultuous Conference Discussion Using Interviews as a Tool for Self-Reflection: Debtor’s Stories in the Public Space The Psychology of Indebted Man and the Shortcomings of the Anti-foreclosure Movement SAOR: A Reflection of the Crisis? Conclusions References 11: ‘We the Marlborough’: Elucidating Users’ Experience of Radical, Informal Therapeutic Practices Within a Queer Community Pub Introduction Method Research design and data generation Participants and recruitment Analytical procedure Analysis Theme 1: Feeling Recognised as You Really Are Theme 2: Feeling Safe to Express the True Self Theme 4: Engaging in Queer Listening Discussion Implications for Community Psychologists Implications for Public Health Service Commissioners Limitations Conclusions References 12: The Evolution of the Community Psychology Festival Combining Values from Critical Community Psychology and Festival Culture Themes, Rock Stars and Community Psychologists Contributions Making It Easier to Attend: Venues and Access Costs The Finishing Touches Looking Ahead Personal Reflections References 13: The Define Normal Project Context Think Consult Act Delivery of the Training Reflect Implications for Future Clinical Community Psychology Work in NHS Settings References 14: Rewriting the Space Between a University and a Healthcare Provider: The Model of Converge Offering Education, Not Therapy Inviting in, Not Dispatching Out Collaboration and Discovery Challenging Dominant Narratives Conclusion References 15: The Jannah Tree: An Islamic Faith–Inspired Metaphor and Spiritual Framework for Healing, Co-created by British-Pakistani Women Through Cyberspace Technology Introduction Method The Formation of the Online Group Analysis Results Part (1) Stimulating Growth Narratives: Rousing—Stirring Up and Stimulating Intimations The Role of Dreams and the Subconscious Understanding Wisdom and Inner Inspiration The Role of Companionship and the Social Environment Drives (and Triggers) Impact Balance Spiritual Productivity as Fuel Balance, Mistakes, Opportunities and Rebalancing the Whole Self Part (2) ‘Scaffolding Holistic Elements with Metaphorical Tools’: The Framework and Its Component Parts ‘The Jannah Tree Enveloping a Diamond Seat: The Crystal Heart’ Connection Between the Internal and External World of the Jannah Tree Imbalances in the Crystal Heart of the Jannah Tree Through Transformation: The Jannah Tree in Phases Part (3) The Embodied Metaphor (Examples of How Participants Embodied and Related the Metaphor to Their Own Healing): Tracing Maps of Personal Experience onto the Jannah Tree Metaphorical Framework Conclusions Summary Bridging Eurocentric Models Cyber-Psychology and Increasing Access Appendices Key Learning Points and Benefits of the Developing Framework Next Steps Practical Issues to Consider in Setting up a Collaborative Online Intervention Section 3: Transformative Change Work References Part III: Transformative Change Work 16: Towards Social Inclusion: Creating Change Through a Community-Developed Model of Person-Centred Reviews (PCRs) to Support Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Education as a Foundation to Social Inclusion An Education in Social Value Moving Towards a Person-Centred Education System Personalised Education The Ethical Dilemma of Pseudonyms Creating a Space for Personalisation A Co-produced Community-Practitioner PCR Model Feedback on the Initial PCRs Showcasing the Revised PCR Model Summary and Conclusion References 17: Overcoming Marginalisation and Mental Distress Through Community Supported Agriculture: The Streccapogn Experience in Monteveglio, Italy Introduction Methodology Down to Town From Vision to Action Lived Experiences People with Disabilities Prisoners Migrants The Unemployed Challenges, Limitations, and Future Prospects Conclusions References 18: Community-Based Service Learning During Clinical Psychology Training: Working at the Critically Reflective Interface Introduction Theoretical Frameworks Critical Community Psychology Community-Based Service Learning The Local SA Context and Clinical Psychology Training Project Descriptions UKZN Masters Trainees’ Community Interventions Projects in 2017 Rhodes University (RU) Trainees’ Community Intervention Projects in 2017 Methodology Participants Reflexive Note Findings Benefits to Trainees Learning About and Applying Community Psychology Learning from and Supporting Each Other Greater Awareness of Their Positioning and the System with Its Inequalities Challenges Encountered Discussion Time, Timing and Partnership-Building Underdeveloped Critical Reflection Skills Hegemony of Traditional Models Concluding Thoughts Recommendations for Developing CBSL in Practice References 19: Health Inequities of Silent Roma Ranks from a Social Justice Perspective Overcoming Health Inequities of Roma Silent Ranks from a Social Justice Perspective Hidden Roma in Spain Liberation Psychology Unveiling the Roma in Polígono Sur The Context Phase 1: Building Alliances Phase 2: Mapping Roma Assets Evaluating the Roma Sensitivity of Local Assets Evaluating the Roma Sensitivity of Providers and Their Organizations Identifying Areas of High Roma Density and Incorporating Their Evaluation of Organizations Phase 3: Building Advocacy Capacity Among Roma Neighbors Liberation PhotoVoice Phase 4: Empowering Roma Community Settings Dissemination of the Evaluation of Plans, Programs, and Policies Presentation of PhotoVoice Results Group Reflection Building a Common Roma Health Advocacy Agenda Lessons Learned References 20: ‘I Am Not Disabled, I Just Need Some Help’: Are Critical Community Psychology Approaches a Promising Way to Engage with People with Learning Disabilities? Introduction: The Problem with Psychology! The Realities for People with Learning Disabilities Living in the UK Critical Community Psychology Approaches in Action Project 1: Creating a Community Exhibition with Men with Learning Disabilities in a Museum Project 2: Developing and Producing Radio Shows at a Local Community Radio Station Project 3: Self-Advocacy Work and Training Volunteers Are Critical Community Psychology Approaches a Useful Way to Build Bridges with People with Learning Disabilities? Challenging Stereotypes, Reflecting on Diverse Identities and Creativity Critical Community Psychology Approaches Can Be Problematic, but They Bring Hope and Innovation for People with Learning Disabilities References 21: Marginalised Youth Navigating Uncertainty: Reflections on Co-construction and Methodology in Nepal Introduction Nepal Context: People, Place and Change Change: Governance, Conflict and Disaster Co-construction Approaches and Methodologies The Framework Researchers’ Roles and Reflexivity National Partners Youth in Nepal Youth Co-construction: Marginalisation and Methods Marginalised Youth Marginalised Youth and the Use of Creative Visual and Mobile Methods Roads and Rivers of Life/Timeline: Growing up and Transitions Place and Space: Insecurity and Uncertainty Mapping, Mobility Mapping and Youth-Led Walks Relationships, Autonomy and Support Co-production: Youth and Migration Conclusion References 22: Finding Safety in Trauma Recovery at a South African State Care Centre for Abused and Neglected Youth Introduction Background and Context First Safety Principle: Love Reuben’s Poem Tlali Found Love Second Safety Principle: Acceptance Reflections on Acceptance Court Battle Third Safety Principle: Appreciation Connection and Transformation: Educational Psychologist/WCED Support Services Official (Female) Discussion Future Directions Afterword References 23: Collaborating with Social Justice Activists in Ghana’s Fight Against Modern Slavery: A Case Study of Challenging Heights My awareness of the need for systemic changes, rather than medicalising people’s problems, grew further working with refugees on my return to the UK. I eventually took time out to complete an MA in Community Psychology in Brighton, cementing my id Joining a Grassroots Movement The Problem The Growth of a Movement James’ Early Interventions and the Roots of Challenging Heights Child Rights Clubs Education Speaking Out as a Survivor Developing a Theory of Change and Going Further “Upstream” Expanding Educational Provision Women’s Economic Empowerment and Business Infrastructure Advocacy Rights-Focussed Rescue, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Challenging Narratives of Trauma Integrating Western and Local Psychologies Survivors, Not Victims How Can We Stand with Organisations Like Challenging Heights? Living Community Psychology Values in the NHS References 24: Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) as an Emancipatory Modality Promoting Social Transformation, Empowerment, Agency, and Activism Introduction Social Transformation, Empowerment, Agency, and Activism CBPR as Emancipatory Praxis Case Study: SCRATCHMAPS Reflective Narrative: Raising Critical Consciousness Empowerment Research as Praxis: Agency and Activism Developing Alternatives: Structural and Humanising Research Social Justice: Challenging the Status Quo Reflections: What Really Matters Summary Concluding Thoughts References Part IV: Creativity and Social Change 25: The Value of Togetherness Across Cultures Setting the Scene Service Provision in Malawi Conceptualisations of Mental Health in Malawi What We Can Learn How Can We Get There? Potential Challenges References 26: Linking Space, Place, and Relational Well-being in Co-productive Ways Co-producing and Capturing Experience? Place as a Fluid Concept Techniques of Engagement Co-produced Artefacts as Records of Place-Making References 27: Mediating the Effects of Austerity with Creativity, Compassion and Community-Based Approaches Austerity in the UK The Impact of Austerity on the Helpers “There’s a General Atmosphere of Threat” “You’re Squeezed”: Increasing Pressure “It’s Just Maths”: Service Users Are Becoming Less of a Priority “You’re Definitely More Limited in What You’re Able to Do” “It’s Just so Upsetting”: Added Emotional Strain A Fight, Flight or Freeze Response: The Mediating Role of Hope The Implications for Our Helpers The Power of Compassion The Need for Community and Creativity Conclusion References 28: Writing Stories of and from the Future: Fostering Personal and Socio-Political Action Introduction Why Write Science Fictional Differences? What Is the Ground, for the Seeds of Stories? The Importance of Context The Story Seeds Are Sharing What You Know—And Learning Too What’s the Water on the Ground? The Impetus for Developing an Idea How Do We Learn to Recognise Our Common Humanity in Everyone? Whose Story Is This? Which Stories Get Heard? Feedback from Our Storying Just Doing It: Ten Steps for Turning Story Seeds into Trees References 29: The Legacy of Art Making: Agency, Activism and Finding the World Legacy of Art Making: Finding the World The Challenge of Evidencing Efficacy and Legacy Methodology Narratives of Art Making Discussion Conclusion: Finding the World References 30: We Tell Our Own Stories: Older Adults as Expert Researchers Research and Older Adults Interrogating Traditional Research Methods Amplified Elders Study Research Findings Informing Practice The Future of Research References 31: ‘We Can Speak but Will There Be Any Change?’ Voices from Blikkiesdorp, South Africa Blikkiesdorp and the Struggle for Housing in Cape Town, South Africa Background and History of the Project Reflections on the Project Did the Community Benefit? What Now? Conclusion References 32: Conclusion Why Are People Trying New Approaches? The Practice of Innovating Challenges in Trying to Innovate Final Thoughts References Index