As I am sitting her preparing a new program proposal for a Community Psychology program, I am coming across so much timely literature its giving me chills! With all that is going on in our communities there is a demand for relvolutionary education and community empowerment. Liberation Psychology is that.
“Liberation psychology involves the application of psychology in a participatory manner for the purposes of undertaking transformative action and advancing social justice…involves participatory practices that aim to avoid reproducing oppression. Such practices must firstly be critical and reflexive, that is, involve a critical reflection of power and privilege and an awareness of their role in contexts of practice. An analysis of power and oppression is thus central, and many practitioners of liberation psychology adopt a structural analysis, that is, an analysis that focuses on economic and political structures associated with inequality (Society for Community Research and Action (2015). Liberation Psychology. Retrieved from http://www.scra27.org/what-we-do/what-community-psychology/liberation-psychology/#YRFI4jG0sHi767dt.99 ).”
We MUST teach the students in our program to reflect CRITICALLY about power and privilege. This is the only way we can make the differences we seek in the next generation of mental health professionals.
Please watch this video clip below, if you are interested in learning more about Liberation Psychology.
-Respectfully, Dr. Bree
Published by Dr. Bree E. Cook
Dr. Bree (Davis) Cook began her appointment as Vice President in May 2018. In this role Dr. Cook serves as the College’s Chief Academic Officer and as the Accreditation Liaison Officer. In her most recent position she served as associate dean of POC's School of Cultural & Family Psychology (SCFP). Dr. Cook has also held positions as the academic coordinator, assistant professor and clinical training coordinator in the SCFP. Prior to coming into higher education, Dr. Cook spent over 15 years in leadership and management positions in non-profits, serving as Family Based Services Director, Eden Dual Diagnosis Program Manager & IRB Chair and as a Staff Psychologist at the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Dr. Cook holds a Psy.D. and master degree in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Multicultural & Community from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, and baccalaureate degree from University of California San Diego. She is also a Certified Family Life educator (CFLE).
Dr. Cook has presented over 25 papers, seminars and workshops at a number of professional conferences such as, WASC Academic Resource Conference, Race, Ethnicity and Place Conference, National Association of African American Studies & Affiliates International Conference. She is a member of the Society for Community Research and Action (Division 27 of the American Psychological Association), National Association of African American Studies and the National Council of Family Relations.
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Bree E. Cook, PsyD 