Social justice advocacy across contexts: How counselors and psychologists can integrate advocacy into research and practice

Abstract

The fields of counseling and psychology are particularly committed to maintaining a social justice agenda. However as graduates from such programs have begun working in diverse settings, questions have arisen about how best to apply social justice principles and advocacy to clinical and scholarly work. In the following article we examine advocacy work in three contexts where counselors and psychologists currently work: in research, health care, and educational settings. For each of these contexts the authors identify the purpose of advocacy in the professional setting, professional issues that arise, and the challenges and barriers faced. Each section will conclude with specific recommendations for the promotion and completion of social justice advocacy.