REALITY-BASED PARENTING

About the Book

Reality-Based Parenting: How Parents of African Descent Can Cultivate Loving Relationships With their Children is a thoughtful, inspirational, sensitive and culturally-driven how-to manual designed for parents in the African diaspora who long to know themselves. The cumulative effect of self-discovery (development of self-awareness and acquisition of self-knowledge) is the transmission of cultural and spiritual heritage to the next generation. As a developmental and transformational process, Reality-Based Parenting is culturally specific, not universal. This is based on the multi-cultural premise of “fullness before overflow.” That is to say a group must recognize and affirm itself before it is able to share and appreciate the differences of others. Cultural competency then is the distinguishing characteristic of reality-based parenting. Through this book, parents are enabled to use what they have – their cultural strengths – to obtain what they want: a tested plan for nurturing children, a formula for instilling disciplining in the young, a model for psycho-social recovery. Conscientious readers are inspired to apply the book’s content to activities of daily living so that “… our sons may flourish in their youth like well-nurtured plants; and our daughters may be like cornerstones, polished after the similitude of a palace” (Psalms 144: 12-14).

About the Author

John McQueen Ed.S, LCSW, CFLE has been a leader in the field of behavioral health services since April, 1991. He is best known for his clinical (psychotherapeutic) work with individual adults, couples, groups, children and their families. Through the therapeutic modality of Reality-Based Therapy, Center for Psychotherapy’s brand of Cognitive therapy, McQueen facilitates the development of personal growth and the enrichment of relational skills. His offerings are aimed at empowering people who are open, ready and willing to move from where they are to where they want to be. To this end, he has achieved evidence-based results, at times, in the face of intractable circumstances. John McQueen is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Certified Family Life Educator, and Mediator. He received his formal education from York College, Adelphi and Andrews Universities; he authored Father’s Absence: Soul Searching Poems from the Heart of a Psychotherapist; edited Reality-Based Parenting: How Parents of African Descent can Cultivate Loving Relationships with their Children; founded Family Renaissance, Inc., and Center for Psychotherapy; developed Imani Rites of Passage: an innovative therapeutic and recreational program which addresses the interrelated academic and emotional needs of children and young adults. Through these interrelated instruments, McQueen has helped thousands of people in their quest for psychological, emotional and spiritual growth and development. McQueen is currently the President and CEO of Family Renaissance, Inc., Developer/Director of Imani Rites of Passage Institute, President of The Center for Psychotherapy (CFP), Director of CFP Parenting Institute, adjunct Professor at Medgar Evers College, a Psychotherapist in private practice and a frequent presenter on the lecture circuit. John McQueen’s work has been featured in numerous articles and media presentations including Journal of Primary Prevention, Elsevier and Kuji Magazine; WLIB, WNWK, Caribbean Classroom, and BCAT; Carib Life, Carib News, Daily News, Canarsie Courier, Atlantic Union Gleaner, Daily Challenge and Amsterdam News. John has also received several commendations for outstanding professional work and community service from The Brooklyn Borough President, Washington Times Foundation, The Comptroller of New York City, New York City Council, Brooklyn’s 67th Precinct Council, Kingsborough Men’s Ministry, Redemption Christian Center, St. Patrick’s Development Foundation of New York and The Black Social Workers Club at Medgar Evers College. McQueen’s clinical philosophy is enshrouded in the idea that a person’s world view is or ought to be inextricably linked to their cultural identity. To this end, he embraces the sobering consciousness for preserving the strength to the family: the cradle of culture, the strength of the nation, the stronghold of civilization. He is grateful to his family, the Family Renaissance team and CFP teams for their inspiration, support, and encouragement in the pursuit of his life’s work.