Multicultural Perspective In My Clinical Work As A Psychologist

I believe it is vital to embrace a multicultural perspective when working in the field of psychology. This has been essential in my work with underserved populations and every client I work with, because we all operate within a cultural context. At the University of Denver, diversity and multicultural training is an integral part of our program. This is highlighted by our year-long multicultural course sequence. Working from a multicultural lens, helps me remain sensitive and aware of the various and relevant cultural factors that may be influencing a client’s circumstance, assisting me in understanding implications for their individual treatment plan. Joining groups around issues of diversity have influenced my clinical work.

First, by participating in Denver’s Second Tuesday Race Forum’s diversity-related workshops, I developed greater awareness of my own cultural context and biases. This led to a recognition of how those factors can influence the ways I respond to clients and the work I can continue to do to transform those unconscious beliefs to conscious change. Second, I have joined multiple groups on campus where conversation and engagement are focused around the range of diversity issues. These groups; Voices of Discovery and Diversity Dialogues (DD), encourage me to understand the intersectionality of my clients’ identities and the multicultural framework that allows for enriched understanding of those complexities. DD has empowered me to be a social justice advocate for my clients, peers, campus, and community. Our efforts within DD have led to the first all-gender bathroom on campus, ADA accessible rooms, and banners generating an environment of equality and acceptance, including our most recent; Black Lives Matter banner.

Lastly, three other students and I created The Advocate, a monthly student-produced newsletter to share resources, information, and opportunities around diversity for personal and professional development and community engagement. These experiences have given depth to my clinical work and influence my case conceptualization, evaluation, and treatment planning. While working with clients in various community practicum settings, including a rehabilitation hospital, a community nonprofit I co-found, a university counseling center, and a homeless shelter, I recognized it is significant to acknowledge differences while also avoiding stereotyping or simplifying clients to a specific category. Therefore, attuning to my clients and being an active listener are integral components to understanding my clients as unique individuals, considering the complexity of their own identities, strengths, vulnerabilities, and development. I have a strong commitment to issues of diversity and I recognize my journey to becoming a culturally competent clinician will be a lifelong and ever-evolving process.

I plan to continue to participate in community events, groups, workshops, and develop greater awareness of my clients’ context and my own cultural biases and privileges I hold. Thus, continued experience with diverse client populations is one of my primary goals for internship, and an internship within a university counseling center would be the ideal setting to accomplish this goal.