Advancing the field’s exploration of cultural strengths and expanding conceptions of the factors that contribute to wellness, we introduce a new model, the communities of color cultural strengths model (CCCSM). In this paper, we begin by exploring connections among counseling and positive psychologies as well as psychologies of communities of color (CC) to provide a backdrop of how these areas are complementary. We then discuss Black psychology as an exemplar for examining links between psychologies of CC and positive psychology. We highlight the scholarship of two prominent Black psychologists, Drs. Joseph White and Linda James Myers, to illustrate how psychologies of CC inform identifying cultural strengths. Next, we discuss the three facets of the CCCSM which include: (a) influences on cultural strengths, (b) cultural strengths foci, and (c) education-training domains. We conclude with recommendations for application of the CCCSM in research, practice, and advocacy.
AdamesH. Y.Chavez-DueñasN. Y.LewisJ. A.NevilleH. A.FrenchB. H.ChenG. A.MosleyD. V. (2023). Radical healing in psychotherapy: Addressing the wounds of racism related stress and trauma. Psychotherapy, 60(1), 39–50. https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000435
2.
AlexanderA. A.AlloH. (2021). Building a climate for advocacy training in professional psychology. The Counseling Psychologist, 49(7), 1070–1089. https://doi.org/10.1177/00110000211027973
AsanteM. K. (2003). Afrocentricity: The theory of social change (2nd ed.). African American Images.
5.
AwadG. H.Kia-KeatingM.AmerM. M. (2019). A model of cumulative racial–ethnic trauma among Americans of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) descent. American Psychologist, 74(1), 76–87. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000344
6.
AwosogbaO. O. R.JacksonS. M.Onwong'aJ. R.CokleyK. O.HolmanA.McClainS. E. (2023). Contributions of African-centered (Africentric) psychology: A call for inclusion in APA-accredited graduate psychology program curriculum. American Psychologist, 78(4), 457–468. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001164
7.
BeasleyS. T.HernandezA. J. (2024). Black Men’s gendered equity ethic: Examining its impact on career motivations, interests, and future goals. Journal of Career Development, 52(2), 173–194. https://doi.org/10.1177/08948453241309020
8.
BelgraveF. Z.AllisonK. W. (2019). African American psychology: From Africa to America (4th ed.). Sage.
9.
BlumeA. W. (2020). A new psychology based on community, equality, and care of the earth: An Indigenous American perspective. ABC-CLIO.
10.
CarterR. T.PieterseA.ForsythJ. (2025). Black Americans’ strengths-based cultural practices: Tools for clinicians to promote psychological well-being. Taylor & Francis.
11.
CervantesJ. M.ParhamT. A. (2005). Toward a meaningful spirituality of people of color: Lessons for the counseling practitioner. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology, 11(1), 69–81. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/1099-9809.11.1.69
12.
ChangE. C.DowneyC. A.HirschJ. K.LinN. J. (Eds.). (2016). Positive psychology in racial and ethnic groups: Theory, research, and practice. American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/14799-000
13.
Chapman-HilliardC.Adams-BassV. (2015). A conceptual framework for utilizing Black history knowledge as a path to psychological liberation for Black youth. Journal of Black Psychology, 42(6), 479–507. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095798415597840
14.
Chavez-DueñasN. Y.AdamesH. Y.Perez-ChavezJ. G.SalasS. P. (2019). Healing ethno-racial trauma in Latinx immigrant communities: Cultivating hope, resistance, and action. American Psychologist, 74(1), 49–62. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000289
15.
Chavez-DueñasN. Y.CastellanosJ.AdamesH. Y.WhiteJ. L.FrancoV. (2023). Riding the academic freedom train: A culturally responsive, multigenerational mentoring model. Routledge.
16.
CokleyK.AwadG. H. (2013). In defense of quantitative methods: Using the “master’s tools” to promote social justice. Journal for Social Action in Counseling & Psychology, 5(2), 26–41.
17.
CokleyK.GarbaR. (2018). Speaking truth to power: How Black/African psychology changed the discipline of psychology. Journal of Black Psychology, 44(8), 695–721. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095798418810592
18.
CokleyK.PalmerB.StoneS. (2019). Toward a Black (and diverse) psychology: The scholarly legacy of Joseph White. Journal of Black Psychology, 45(2), 112–121. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095798419828243
19.
CokleyK. O.VandiverB. J. (2012). Ethnic and racial identity. In AltmaierE. M.HansenJ.-I. C. (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of counseling psychology (pp. 291–325). Oxford University Press.
20.
Comas-DíazL. (2012). Multicultural care: A clinician’s guide to cultural competence. American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/13491-000
21.
ConstantineM. G.SueD. W. (2006). Factors contributing to optimal human functioning in people of color in the United States. The Counseling Psychologist, 34(2), 228–244. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000005281318
22.
CorntasselJ.win-isChaw-lakwadziT’. (2009). Indigenous storytelling, truth-telling, and community approaches to reconciliation. English Studies in Canada, 35(1), 137–159. https://doi.org/10.1353/esc.0.0163
23.
DavisD. E.DeBlaereC.OwenJ.HookJ. N.RiveraD. P.ChoeE.Van TongerenD. R.WorthingtonE. L.Jr.PlaceresV. (2018). The multicultural orientation framework: A narrative review. Psychotherapy, 55(1), 89–100. https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000160
24.
DeBlaereC.SinghA. A.WilcoxM. M.CokleyK. O.Delgado-RomeroE. A.ScaliseD. A.ShawahinL. (2019). Social justice in counseling psychology: Then, now, and looking forward. The Counseling Psychologist, 47(6), 938–962. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000019893283
25.
DemanarigD. L.CokleyK.BeasleyS. T.HitaL.HashemH.MamidannaP.MujicaC.MercadoA. (2024). Mending fragile alliances to fight racism: A developing framework for cross-racial/ethnic solidarity. American Psychologist, 79(4), 553–568. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001307
26.
DuranE. (2019). Healing the soul wound: Trauma‐informed counseling for Indigenous communities. Teachers College Press.
27.
DuranE.DuranB. (1995). Native American postcolonial psychology. State University of New York Press.
28.
FassingerR. E.O'BrienK. M. (2000). Career counseling with college women: A scientist-practitioner-advocate model of intervention. In LuzzoD. A. (Ed.), Career counseling of college students: An empirical guide to strategies that work (pp. 253–266). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/10362-014
29.
FloydS. A.Jr (1996). The power of Black music: Interpreting its history from Africa to the United States. Oxford University Press.
FreelandG. K. (2009). ‘We're a winner’: Popular music and the Black Power Movement. Social Movement Studies, 8(3), 261–288. https://doi.org/10.1080/14742830903024358
32.
FrenchB. H.LewisJ. A.MosleyD. V.AdamesH. Y.Chavez-DueñasN. Y.ChenG. A.NevilleH. A. (2020). Toward a psychological framework of radical healing in communities of color. The Counseling Psychologist, 48(1), 14–46. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000019843506
33.
FrenchB. H.NevilleH. A.LewisJ. A.MosleyD. V.AdamesH. Y.Chavez-DueñasN. Y. (2023). “We can create a better world for ourselves”: Radical hope in communities of color. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 70(4), 327–340. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000670
34.
GarciniL. M.BarritaA.CadenasG. A.Domenech RodríguezM. M.GalvanT.MercadoA.MorenoO.ParisM.Rojas PerezO. F.SilvaM.VentaA. (2023). A decolonial and liberation lens to social justice research: Upholding promises for diverse, inclusive, and equitable psychological science. American Psychologist. 80(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0001255
35.
GoneJ. P.TuomiA.FoxN. (2020). The urban American Indian traditional spirituality program: Promoting Indigenous spiritual practices for health equity. American Journal of Community Psychology, 66(3-4), 279–289. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12436
36.
GonzalezM. B.SittnerK. J.Saniguq UllrichJ.WallsM. L. (2021). Spiritual connectedness through prayer as a mediator of the relationship between Indigenous language use and positive mental health. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 27(4), 746–757. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000466
37.
GoodmanL. A.LiangB.HelmsJ. E.LattaR. E.SparksE.WeintraubS. R. (2004). Training counseling psychologists as social justice agents: Feminist and multicultural principles in action. The Counseling Psychologist, 32(6), 793–837. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000004268802
38.
HargonsC. N.MaloneN.MontiqueC.DoganJ.StuckJ.MeillerC.SanchezA.SullivanQ. A.BohmerC.CurveyR.WoodsI.TylerK.OluokunJ.Stevens-WatkinsD. (2022). “White people stress me out all the time”: Black students define racial trauma. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology, 28(1), 49–57. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000351
HookJ. N.DavisD. E.OwenJ.WorthingtonE. L.Jr.UtseyS. O. (2013). Cultural humility: Measuring openness to culturally diverse clients. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 60(3), 353–366. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0032595
41.
JamisonD. F. (2018). Key concepts, theories, and issues in African/Black psychology: A view from the bridge. Journal of Black Psychology, 44(8), 722–746. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095798418810596
42.
JankowskiP. J.SandageS. J.BellC. A.DavisD. E.PorterE.JessenM.MotznyC. L.RossK. V.OwenJ. (2020). Virtue, flourishing, and positive psychology in psychotherapy: An overview and research prospectus. Psychotherapy, 57(3), 291–309. https://doi.org/10.1037/pst0000285
JohnsonV. E.CarterR. T. (2020). Black cultural strengths and psychosocial well-being: An empirical analysis with Black American adults. Journal of Black Psychology, 46(1), 55–89. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095798419889752
45.
KambonK. (1998). African/Black psychology in the American context: An African-centered approach. Nubian Nation.
46.
Kana‘iaupuniS. M. (2005). Ka‘akālai Kū Kanaka: A call for strengths-based approaches from a Native Hawaiian perspective. Educational Researcher, 34(5), 32–38. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X034005032
47.
KarengaM. (1993). Introduction to Black studies (Black Psychology). University of Sankore Press.
48.
KimA. Y.LeeR. M. (2023). People of color are people of action: Asian American participation in own-group and African American-oriented collective action. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 26(6), 1368–1388. https://doi.org/10.1177/13684302221103962
LeeB. A.NevilleH. A. (2024). The iBelong Scale: Construction and validation of a measure of racial–ethnic–cultural belonging. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 71(3), 139–154. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000716
51.
LiP. F. J.WongY. J. (2021). Strength-centered therapy: A positive and culturally flexible therapeutic approach. Asia Pacific Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 12(2), 154–169. https://doi.org/10.1080/21507686.2021.1925313
52.
LopezS. J.Magyar-MoeJ. L.PetersenS. E.RyderJ. A.KrieshokT. S.O'ByrneK. K.LichtenbergJ.FryN. A. (2006). Counseling psychology’s focus on positive aspects of human functioning. The Counseling Psychologist, 34(2), 205–227. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000005283393
53.
Magyar-MoeJ. L.OwensR. L.ScheelM. J. (2015). Applications of positive psychology in counseling psychology: Current status and future directions. The Counseling Psychologist, 43(4), 494–507. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000015581001
54.
MallinckrodtB.MilesJ. R.LevyJ. J. (2014). The scientist-practitioner-advocate model: Addressing contemporary training needs for social justice advocacy. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 8(4), 303–311. https://doi.org/10.1037/tep0000045
55.
MosleyD. V.HargonsC. N.MeillerC.AngyalB.WheelerP.DavisC.Stevens-WatkinsD. (2021). Critical consciousness of anti-Black racism: A practical model to prevent and resist racial trauma. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 68(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000430
56.
MyersL. J. (1988/1993). Understanding an Afrocentric world view: Introduction to an optimal psychology (2nd ed.). Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.
57.
MyersL. J. (1991). Expanding the psychology of knowledge optimally: The importance of worldview revisited. In JonesR. L. (Ed.), Black Psychology (3rd ed., pp. 15–28). Cobb & Henry Publishers.
58.
MyersL. J.LodgeT.SpeightS. L.HagginsK. (2022). The necessity of an emic paradigm in psychology. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 62(4), 488–515. https://doi.org/10.1177/00221678211048568
59.
NevilleH. A. (2024). Justice & joy: Transforming healing praxis in counseling psychology and beyond. The Counseling Psychologist, 52(8), 1372–1396. https://doi.org/10.1177/00110000241298715
60.
ObasiE. M.SpeightS. L.RoweD. M.ClarkL. O.Turner-EsselL. (2012). The Association of Black Psychologists: An organization dedicated to social justice. The Counseling Psychologist, 40(5), 656–674. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000012450417
61.
OmanD. (2013). Defining religion and spirituality. In PaloutzianR. F.ParkC. L. (Eds.), Handbook of the psychology of religion and spirituality (2nd ed., pp. 23–47). The Guilford Press.
62.
OwenJ.TaoK. W.DrinaneJ. M.HookJ.DavisD. E.KuneN. F. (2016). Client perceptions of therapists’ multicultural orientation: Cultural (missed) opportunities and cultural humility. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 47(1), 30–37. https://doi.org/10.1037/pro0000046
63.
PalmerB.II (2022). Practical social justice: Diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies based on the legacy of Dr. Joseph L. White. Taylor & Francis.
64.
ParhamT. A. (2009). Foundations for an African American psychology: Extending roots to an ancient Kemetic past. In NevilleH. A.TynesB. M.UtseyS. O. (Eds.), Handbook of African American Psychology (pp. 3–18). Sage Publications, Inc.
65.
ParhamT. A.AjamuA.WhiteJ. L. (2015). Psychology of Blacks: Centering our perspectives in the African consciousness. Psychology Press.
PrilleltenskyI. (2008). The role of power in wellness, oppression, and liberation: The promise of psychopolitical validity. Journal of Community Psychology, 36(2), 116–136. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.20225
68.
RogersL. O.KiangL.WhiteL.CalzadaE. J.Umaña-TaylorA. J.ByrdC.WilliamsC. D.MarksA.WhitesellN. (2020). Persistent concerns: Questions for research on ethnic-racial identity development. Research in Human Development, 17(2-3), 130–153. https://doi.org/10.1080/15427609.2020.1831881
SellersR. M.SmithM. A.SheltonJ. N.RowleyS. A. J.ChavousT. M. (1998). Multidimensional model of racial identity: A reconceptualization of African American racial identity. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 2(1), 18–39. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327957pspr0201_2
71.
SmithT. B.SilvaL. (2011). Ethnic identity and personal well-being of people of color: A meta-analysis. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 58(1), 42–60. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0021528
72.
SnyderC. R.LopezS. J.EdwardsL. M.MarquesS. C. (Eds.). (2020). The Oxford handbook of positive psychology. Oxford University Press.
73.
StevensonH. C.RenardG. (1993). Trusting ole' wise owls: Therapeutic use of cultural strengths in African-American families. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 24(4), 433–442. https://doi.org/10.1037/0735-7028.24.4.433
74.
SueD. W.ConstantineM. G. (2003). Optimal human functioning in people of color in the United States. In WalshW. B. (Ed.), Counseling psychology and optimal human functioning (pp. 151–169). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.
75.
SuzukiL. A.O’ShaughnessyT. A.RoysircarG.PonterottoJ. G.CarterR. T. (2019). Counseling psychology and the amelioration of oppression: Translating our knowledge into action. The Counseling Psychologist, 47(6), 826 – 872. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000019888763
76.
TempleC. N. (2010). The emergence of Sankofa practice in the United States: A modern history. Journal of Black Studies, 41(1), 127–150. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021934709332464
77.
VanceT. A.LodgeT.FarvidP. (2022). Optimal theory case conceptualisation: An African-centred therapeutic approach with Black LGBTQ clients. Psychology & Sexuality, 13(5), 1191–1203. https://doi.org/10.1080/19419899.2021.1946583
78.
VeraE. M.SpeightS. L. (2003). Multicultural competence, social justice, and counseling psychology: Expanding our roles. The Counseling Psychologist, 31(3), 253–272. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000003031003001
79.
VillalbaJ. A.Jr. (2007). Culture-specific assets to consider when counseling Latina/o children and adolescents. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 35(1), 15–25. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-1912.2007.tb00046.x
80.
WhiteJ. (1970). Toward a Black psychology. Ebony, 25(11), 44–53.
81.
WillisH. A.NeblettE. W. (2020). Racial identity and changes in psychological distress using the multidimensional model of racial identity. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 26(4), 509–519. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000314
82.
YossoT. J. (2005). Whose culture has capital? A critical race theory discussion of community cultural wealth. Race Ethnicity and Education, 8(1), 69–91. https://doi.org/10.1080/1361332052000341006
