Need: a practical book on the core topic of working with difference and diversity

Feature: This book explores the key competencies needed to work ethically and in a culturally sensitive manner

Benefit: Students can feel confident and equipped to work with a range of clients and, crucially, with clients who have different identities or backgrounds from their own

N: Students need to identify and be aware of their own socio-cultural position and explore their own prejudices

F: The book is packed with experiential and reflective exercises to help readers reflect on their own 'blind spots, 'invisible norms' and  'unearned privilege'
B: Students develop reflexive awareness of their biases and assumptions and to help work with individuals from a range of backgrounds

N: There are a multitude of theoretically dense texts on this topic, and a confusing array of terms (anti-oppressive practice, cross-cultural counselling; multi-cultural counselling, etc.)

F: this book will unpick the key theories and terms through clear and accessible language

B: Students gain a strong foundation of knowledge, getting to grips with the key terms, concepts and theories

N: Many texts take an outmoded approach to the topic, listing areas of difference chapter-by-chapter (gender and sexuality, race and ethnicity, disability, class, age, religion) which doesn't recognise the reality of the clients' lives

F: This book takes an intersectional approach to difference

B: The book helps students understand that individuals can be disadvantaged on the basis of more than one area of difference