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Abstract

Many African American psychologists are concerned about the delivery of culturally relevant mental health services to their community. Recognizing the limitations of traditional psychotherapies and traditional mental health delivery systems, psychologists have developed African-centered models of therapy that emphasize spiritual development. Using African-centered therapies as a conceptual framework, the African American Counseling Team (AACT) was formed to overcome the limitations of traditional mental health systems. AACT provides mental health services to African Americans by integrating clinical assistance into a support system (the African American church) that, historically, African Americans have trusted, embraced, and used for a variety of personal, social, and spiritual needs. Specifically, AACT provides individual, group, and couples counseling. It offers life skills workshops and consults with mental health and other organizations to enhance the delivery of culturally relevant services by these organizations.

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Providing Culturally Relevant Mental Health Services: Collaboration between Psychology and the African American Church

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