module 8; the culturally safe psychologist

Question 1

apply psychological practices that respect the rights and dignity of all people and peoples

Answer 1

The ADDRESSING model encourages considering;
A=Age/generational Children/elders
D=Development disabilities
D=Disabilities acquired later in life
R=Religion & spiritual orientation
E=Ethnic & racial identity
S=Socioeconomic status
S=Sexual orientation
I=Indigenous heritage
N=National origin
G=Gender

THE CULTURALLY COMPETENT PSYCHOLOGIST;Information needed for informed consent should be provided in a manner understandable to the client.

Recognise competency limits and keep up with relevant research.

Be aware of assessment issues with multicultural clients, and the limitations of assessment tools and norms that do not match those of your client.

Seek to understand the culture of your client, seek professional development and be curious. Don’t make assumptions.

CALD=culturally and linguistically different. Be very aware when using assessment tools in such groups that the tools may have very different norms and so caveats on interpretations should be included in your reports. Whilst using tools developed for appropriate culture and language is ideal, often find that there are no validated tools…..

each CALD group is different ( and each indiviudal from that group has different preferences, but starting points to consider would be:Has the person grown up in Australia, or in a different country?
If they grew up in a different country, which country? What is the native language or languages of that country?
What are the cultural and religious traditions of that country? (e.g., what might I need to be mindful of as a female assessing a male, for example)?
What is the history of that country? (e.g., civil unrest? liklihood of exposure to war / trauma?)
Were they able to access any formal education in their home country?
At what age did they leave?
What were the circumstances under which they left (i.e., as a refugee? or more harmonious circumstances?)
Have they had any formal education in Australia or another Western country?
What work experience have they had?
What other considerations will be relevant for completing an assessment with an interpreter?

Question 2

explain the difference between cultural safety, cultural awareness and cultural competence in psychological practice

Answer 2

CULTURAL AWARENESS-requires practitioners to take responsibility for their own biases, stereotypes, values and assumptions about human behaviour generally, and recognise that these may differ from those held by other cultural groups. Importantly, they need to develop appropriate practices and intervention strategies that take into account their client’s historical, cultural and environmental context’.
‘CULTURAL SAFETY focuses on the effective clinical practice for a person from another culture as it is experienced and perceived by them. While cultural competence contributes to a service recipient’s experiences, cultural safety is an outcome. Cultural safety requires us to ask the client or service recipient whether they felt they were treated with respect, and had their culture, values and preferences taken into account—whether they felt safe’.
CULTURAL COMPETENCE-A set of congruent behaviours, attitudes and policies that come together in a system, agency or among professionals and enable that system, agency or those professionals to work effectively in cross-cultural situations”.

Question 3

outline your own values, beliefs and assumptions in relation to culture and race

Answer 3

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Question 4

explain the key principles of ethical and professional Indigenous psychology

Answer 4

The APS Apology reveals:

Psychologists could do more for Indigenous patients suffering from generations of trauma.
The APS said it should not have stayed silent on the effects of the Stolen Generations.
The APS also said it should not have supported studies that benefited the careers of non-Indigenous researchers, with little benefit for Aboriginal communities.​
Psychologists are now more aware of the need to be culturally sensitive.

“Strong Souls” (see printout) is a questionaire to assess social and emotional wellbeing in indigenous Australians. It has not been validated but is being investigated as a tool for assessing wellbeing in aboriginal prison and substance abuse cohorts.

Question 5

locate the sections of The Code and Guidelines that promote culturally safe psychological practice.

Answer 5

General Principle A: Justice

A.1.1: Psychologists avoid discriminating unfairly against people on the basis of age, religion, sexuality, ethnicity, gender, disability, or any other basis.

A.1.2: Psychologists demonstrate an understanding of the consequences for people of unfair discrimination and stereotyping related to their age, religion, sexuality, ethnicity or gender.

A.1.3: Psychologists assist their clients to address unfair discrimination or prejudice that is directed against the clients.
General Principle B: Propriety

B.7. Use of interpreters

Psychologists who use interpreters:

(a) take reasonable steps to ensure that the interpreters are competent to work as interpreters in the relevant context;

(b) take reasonable steps to ensure that the interpreter is not in a multiple relationship with the client that may impair the interpreter’s judgement;

(c) take reasonable steps to ensure that the interpreter will keep confidential the existence and content of the psychological service;

(d) take reasonable steps to ensure that the interpreter is aware of any other relevant provisions of this Code; and

(e) obtain informed consent from the client to use the selected interpreter.

Ethical guidelines for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples-ensure assessment tools are verified for the test sample or be aware may not be accurate for test population. consider using tools which have been specifically developed for use with indigenous populations. Be aware of correct address forms and respectful behaviours, consult cultural experts where appropriate. Ensure any research is not done at the expense of the indigenous population. Ensure informed consent is truly understood. Recognise that historical harm has been done to indigenous peoples and the follow on effects are still being felt today.
Ethical guidelines for psychological practice
with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients;theories suggesting homosexuality is a mental illness have now been debunked. Recognise that various sexual orientations are possible and suffering has been caused by society trying to impose on choice.

Question 6

to be culturally competent:

Answer 6

Implications for practice and research
Cardemil and Battle (2003) recommend that you:

suspend your preconceptions about clients’ race or ethnicity
initiate conversations on race and ethnicity
ask clients how they identify themselves and prefer to describe themselves
be aware that you may feel uncomfortable about this topic or be concerned about how the client will see you
recognise that clients may be different from other members of their racial or ethnic group
when in doubt about the importance of race and ethnicity in practice, err on the side of dialogue; be willing to take risks with clients
keep learning about issues of race and ethnicity.