Build a disability-affirmative practice that is inclusive, culturally responsive, and grounded in ethical care. Despite the prevalence of disability across clinical populations, it remains one of the least addressed areas in professional training, often resulting in misdiagnoses, exclusionary practices, and therapeutic environments that fail to meet the needs of disabled clients. This volume bridges that gap by offering clinicians concrete strategies for integrating disability into case formulation, treatment planning, assessment, and everyday practice. Therapists, counselors, and other helping professionals will find essential guidelines and tools for evaluating the needs of disabled clients, analyzing the accessibility of their practice, and navigating the complex intersections of disability with other identities. They will learn how to communicate respectfully and clearly with disabled clients while avoiding inadvertent microaggressions. Disability culture and community are also examined, with an emphasis on how disability intersects with other cultural identities and manifest at different developmental stages, helping clinicians build competency in working with a diverse array of clients. Guidelines for incorporating one's own disability into therapy and creating more opportunities and pathways for disabled students and mental health professionals are also provided. Whether working with clients managing chronic medical conditions or navigating physical, cognitive, sensory, or other disabilities, this book is an essential resource for mental health professionals committed to equity, competence, and inclusive care.
Rhoda Olkin, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and a distinguished professor at the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. Her specialties include disability in clients, families, students, and faculty. She developed disability-affirmative therapy and has trained therapists for over 30 years. Dr. Olkin received the California Psychological Association Award for advancement of psychology and diversity, is on the Board of Polio Health International, executive director of the Institute of Disability and Health Psychology, and associate editor for Rehabilitation Psychology. As a polio survivor, she is a disability advocate and activist integrating disability studies and clinical psychology.
Preface: My Personal Disability Story Introduction: A Clinical Guide to Gaining Disability Competence Part I. Introduction to Key Concepts Chapter 1. Language-How We Talk About Disability Chapter 2. Disability, Health, and Disability Disadvantage Chapter 3. Making Your Practice Disability Accessible Chapter 4. Conceptualizing Disability: Moral, Medical, Social, and Biopsychosocial Models Chapter 5. Disability Laws and Civil Rights Part II. About Specific Populations and Intersectionality Chapter 6. Disability in the Family: A Systemic Approach Chapter 7. Romantic Partners With Disabilities Chapter 8. Disabled Children and Teens Chapter 9. Parenting Disabled Children and Teens Chapter 10. Disabled Parents Chapter 11. Intersectionality: Disability in Context Chapter 12. Disability in LGBTQ+ Communities Rhoda Olkin and Kristin J. Conner Chapter 13. Disability and Aging Part III. Areas of Knowledge and Skills Chapter 14. Pain and Disability Fatigue Chapter 15. Assistive Technology and Devices Chapter 16. Ableism and Microaggressions Rhoda Olkin and Kristin J. Conner Chapter 17. Disclosure of Disability Chapter 18. Assessment and Disability Rhoda Olkin, Hadas Pade, and Julia Feinberg Chapter 19. Disability Culture and Community Chapter 20. The Clinician's Disability Chapter 21. Being an Ally and an Advocate Appendix A. Beliefs About Disability Measure Appendix B. Overall Quality of Life (OQOL) Measure Appendix C. Able-Bodied Privilege Questionnaire Appendix D. Self-Assessment Appendix E. Disability Questionnaire Appendix F. Practice Vignettes References Index About the Author
