Addressing Religion in Counseling With Racially Marginalized Adolescents

Abstract

Many adolescents adhere to religious traditions. When faced with adversity, religion can be a source of meaning, comfort, and support. Adolescents in racially marginalized groups are at high risk of experiencing discrimination in U.S. society. Researchers have found that religion may serve as a protective factor against the harmful effects of discrimination and oppression. In this article, I describe the prevalence of religion among racially marginalized group members as well as the unique considerations of adolescent religious development. I detail ways in which religion can be an effective coping strategy with regard to discrimination, and conclude by applying the new multicultural and social justice counseling competencies (MSJCC) to clinical work involving religion among racially marginalized youth.

Keywords:

• adolescents
• discrimination
• multicultural counseling competencies
• religion