Social Class and Classism in the Helping Professions: Research, Theory, and Practice

Provide your students with engaging material on social class and classism

The impact of social class and classism on mental health functioning crosses racial, ethnic, and social lines and significantly contributes to our overall well-being. Any attempt to understand individuals must include an understanding of how economic issues and class have contributed to their difficulties. In Social Class and Classism in the Helping Professions, author William Ming Liu presents theory and research on the impact of classism and social class on mental health. He provides an original framework―the Social Class Worldview Model―for exploring each person′s individual and subjective life experiences. These experiences form a perspective that is unique to the individual. The author then helps the reader integrate this realization into the study of poverty, economic inequality, wealth, and the often overlooked implications of greed, materialism, and consumerism for a more complete understanding of social class and classism.


Intended Audience
This text is intended as a supplement for graduate and advanced undergraduate courses that address psychological and counseling theories, multicultural counseling, and research in the helping professions. These courses may be found in departments of counseling, rehabilitation, psychology, education, nursing, and social work.

William Ming Liu Professor N328 Lindquist Center Psychological and Quantitative Foundations Iowa City, IA 52242 Affiliations within the College Department of Psychological and Quantitative Foundations Counseling Psychology Program Academic History Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, University of Maryland, 2000 Expertise Multiculturalism, Social Class, Men and Masculinity Research Interests Social Class, Men and Masculinity, Multicultural Competencies Professional Experience Program Coordinator, Counseling Psychology Program, University of Iowa Professional Service Committee Assignment, Asian American Psychological Association, 2009-current. Committee Assignment, Division 17, Society of Counseling Psychology, 2009-current. Journal Editorial Board, Men and Masculinities, 2008-current. Journal Editorial Board, Psychology of Men and Masculinity, 2007-current. Committee Assignment, American Psychological Association, 2006-current. Committee Assignment, Division 51 Member at Large, elected position, 2006-current. Manuscript Reviewer, American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 2006-current. Manuscript Reviewer, Journal of Career Development, 2006-current. Manuscript Reviewer, Journal of Counseling Psychology, 2006-current. Committee Assignment, Diversity Advisory Board, Belin Blank Center, 2005-current. Manuscript Reviewer, Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 2005-current. Manuscript Reviewer, Sex Roles Journal, 2005-current. Editorship, Editorial Board Member, Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 2000-current. Committee Assignment, Dean′s Search Committee, 2010-2011. Editorship, American Psychologist, Ad hoc reviewer, 2004-2007. Committee Assignment, Graduate College, 2007. Committee Assignment, National Multicultural Conference and Summit (NMCS) 2007, American Psychological Association, 2005-2007. Committee Assignment, Office of the Vice President for Research, 2007. Committee Assignment, Office of Student Services, 2006. Committee Assignment, College of Education, 2006. Committee Assignment, Division 17, Program Committee Member, 2003-2006. Committee Assignment, Oberman Center, 2006. Committee Assignment, Iowa Testing and Measurement Foundation, 2006. Committee Assignment, Vice President for Research, 2006. Committee Assignment, Advisory Committee on Diversity, Belin and Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development, 2005. Editorship, The Counseling Psychologist, Editorial Board, 2005. Committee Assignment, Diversity Review Task Force, 2004-2005. Editorship, Psychology of Men and Masculinity, 2003-2005. Editorship, Clinicians Research Digest, 2003-2005. Committee Assignment, Division 17, Hospitality Suite Committee Member, 2003-2005. Committee Assignment, Division 45, Society of the Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues, APA, 2001-2005. Committee Assignment, Search Committee Member, University Counseling Service, 2004. Professional Board, Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) for the Knowledge Application Program (KAP), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) (2003), 2003-2004. Committee Assignment, School Psychology Search Committee, 2002. Committee Assignment, Post-Doctoral Search, 2002. Committee Assignment, Multicultural Education Certificate Program, 2002. Committee Assignment, Post-Doctoral Search Committee, 2001. Editorship, Ad hoc manuscript reviewer, Journal of College Student Development, "On Campus Section.", 1995-1997. Professional Activities and Membership American Counseling Association American Psychological Association Asian American Psychological Association Division 17, Counseling Psychology of APA Division 45 Ethnic Minority Issues in Psychology of APA Division 51, Men and Masculinity of APA Licensure and Certifications State of Iowa, Psychology License, Board of Psychology, State of Iowa Awards and Professional Recognition Lodge Project Advisory Board, Board of Directors Award for Emerging Leadership Dean′s Scholar Award Emerging Young Professional Collegiate Teaching Award Public Interest Directorate for the American Psychological Association, Taskforce Member, Socioeconomic Researcher of the Year, Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinity, American Psychological Association Taskforce on Socioeconomic Status Program Committee Audrey Qualls Commitment to Diversity Award