Reading Summary Almeida et al. In their book, Almeida, Dolan-Del, and Parker (2008) describe the idea of ​​critical consciousness and how it brings “sociopolitical context” to everyday life. “A client who develops a critical consciousness can learn that his or her depression is not exclusively a medical illness driven by organic factors that he or she cannot change” (Almeida et al., 2008, p. 22). This was the beginning of the chapter and began to explain the difference between a therapeutic model versus the strictly medical model. This chapter highlighted the elements of critical consciousness and how it plays into therapy, which I found very enlightening to begin the development of discovering my social context. The concept of critical consciousness focuses on social class, political power, gender, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, and physical ability. (Almeida et al, 2008, p. 24) Allowing this “platform” to be diverse and all-encompassing creates a family therapy model that “incorporates social justice.” When doctors develop their critical consciousness, it is one of many steps “toward building fairer relationships for all parties involved.” A critically aware therapist has the ability to push his clients in the direction of liberation when they feel helpless. Almeida et al. enters into the intervention of showing customers films that describe lifestyles and social contexts similar, or very different, to their own. Another detailed intervention is how the first session should proceed. “An initial session can be structured by asking questions that raise arenas of power and privilege for discussion and analysis” (Almeida et al., 2008, p. 28). The details derived from this question... and... middle of the paper... ts. For some reason, my partner is more likely to accommodate me than I am to accommodate him. This is not due to a lack of desire to accommodate, but rather his impulse. I don't think this turns into a power differential or negatively impacts the relationship. I am very grateful for this relationship as it is one of the easiest in my life due to the fulfilling union and lack of excess work from both members. Works Cited Almeida, R. V., Dolan-Del, V. K., & Parker, L. ( 2008). Transformative family therapy: Just families in a just society. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.Knudson-Martin, C., & Mahoney, A. R. (2009). Couples, gender and power: creating changes in intimate relationships. New York: Springer. Tatum, B. (2003). Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?: Revised Edition. New York: Basic Books.