Socioculturally Attuned Engagement and Assessment

This chapter explores the process and practicalities of socioculturally attuned assessment. It emphasizes assessment as part of forming a therapeutic alliance that counters inequities and creates a shared understanding that will guide the direction of therapy and the potential for third order change. This includes collaboratively “placing” clients in physical and social contexts to better understand how the material realities of their lives impact problem formation, meaning-making, and potential solutions. Assessment of negative and positive effects of Socio-Relational Determinants of Health (SRDoH) are explored along with tools that can be used with clients to build a collaborative understanding of how these determinants impact their relationships. A number of core socioculturally attuned assessment principles offer readers guidance for engaging in ongoing assessment from a third order perspective .