Making space for critical race theory within therapeutic settings :||Understanding the significance of race in serving racial and ethnic women minorities

The U.S. is transforming into a multi-racial and multi-ethnic society in which factors such as race and ethnicity are important variables to consider in professional practice and service provision to racial and ethnic minority populations. This multi-racial and multi-ethnic transformation presents many challenges for professional social work and counseling practitioners providing services to racial and ethnic minority groups. This study examines Social Work’s current Cultural Competency Model, proposing the need to integrate a model such as Critical Race Theory which promotes “racial competency” among practitioners serving racial and ethnic minority women domestic violence survivors. The research study surveys 175 practitioners providing services in four Midwest regions. Variables such as race, racial attitudes, ethnic identity, knowledge of domestic violence and understanding of Critical Race Theory are examined. Implications for social work practice and education are discussed.