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“Here, Everybody Moves”: Using Relational Cultural Therapy with Adult Third-Culture Kids

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Abstract

Researchers have underscored the need for appropriate counseling services for Third Culture Kids (TCKs), yet few have addressed therapeutic approaches. This article applies Relational-Cultural Therapy (RCT) to the counseling of Adult TCKs, focusing on TCK experiences such as inaccessibility of parents and ‘parentification’. The long-term impact of such childhood experiences, including emotional disengagement, role-playing, and replication, is explored. Finally, a case scenario is presented to illustrate the application of RCT.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Educational Psychology, University of Oklahoma, 820 Van Vleet Oval, Room 321, Norman, OK, 73019, USA

    Elizabeth A. Melles

  2. Department of Educational Psychology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, USA

    Lisa L. Frey

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  1. Elizabeth A. Melles
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  2. Lisa L. Frey
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Correspondence to Elizabeth A. Melles.

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Melles, E.A., Frey, L.L. “Here, Everybody Moves”: Using Relational Cultural Therapy with Adult Third-Culture Kids. Int J Adv Counselling 36, 348–358 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-014-9211-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-014-9211-6

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