This book explores the subject of racial identity and encourages readers to think freely about racial issues and to explore their own racial identity. Written from an integrative perspective, it aims to be permission-giving and to enable readers to overcome the constraints of political correctness. With a particular focus on white identity, the book challenges white therapists to develop their understanding of a relatively unexplored field. The author believes that self-awareness is an essential element of competency as a therapist, and she challenges all white therapists to be aware of what it means to be white, and how this influences the therapy process.

The book is written from a practitioner perspective, and is intended predominantly for practising counsellors and therapists, counselling supervisors and trainers. Students and researchers in social psychology and medical sociology may also be interested in the sections on the theoretical and historical context of therapy. With an emphasis on white racial identity issues, the book is particularly relevant for white readers, although it may also enable readers from other racial groups to increase their understanding of racial development.