Dr Susan Sisko

Challenging Racisms and Enhancing Social Belonging

Western Sydney University

Dr Susan Sisko (BA [Psych], Grad Diploma [Applied Social Psych], MA [Coun Psych], PhD) is a Lecturer in Counselling and Psychotherapy and an academic member of the Challenging Racism Project and Diversity and Human Rights Research Centre at Western Sydney University.

Amongst other publications, Susan is the author and co-editor of Multicultural Responsiveness in Counselling and Psychology, 2021 (Palgrave). The book focuses on Australian populations and systemic structures with a social justice framework. Susan is passionate about changing the debate in the field by moving away from cultural competence from a Eurocentric position to a focus on social justice and systemic issues – ultimately shifting blame from vulnerable and non-dominant groups to exploring systemics issues as related to quality of care and in the inequity gap in accessing mental health services. Susan is also the creator and host of the podcast: Diversity & Belonging; This Australian Life.