What about us? Cultural Awareness in Clinical Psychology

In this episode, we are joined by Dr Jiedi Lei who discusses her experiences of moving to the UK after spending her early childhood in China, and how her natural curiosity about the culture clash she experienced led her to a desire to study human behaviour. She talks about the importance of findings similarities between different cultural groups, while acknowledging difference. Jiedi also discusses falling between different cultural groups having moved to the UK at the age of 10, and how she has harnessed this experience and subsequent self exploration in her research and clinical work.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr Romana Farooq and Mma Yeebo from the Clinical Psychology Doctorate Programme at Newcastle University who discuss the experiences of children and young people from racially minoritsed backgrounds in secure settings and within the criminal justice system. They talk about the adultification bias towards racially minoritsed children and young people, as well as racial trauma, institutional racism and social inequalities. Suggestions for culturally sensitive and culturally responsive services are offered.

In this episode, we are joined by Professor Dawn Edge, the first Black woman to be made a Professor at the University of Manchester. Dawn talks about what it's like having colleagues who mostly don't look like her, after growing up in Jamaica, as well as her circuitous (and fascinating) journey to becoming a professor, and doing collaborative mental health research with communities who have been let down by both mental health services and research in the past.

In this episode, Dr Irtiza Qureshi talks about his research project (UK-REACH) on the mental health impact of Covid-19 on UK ethnic minority healthcare workers. Irtiza unpacks intersecting and accumulative factors such as socio-economic disadvantage, institutional racism, and healthcare inequalities. Irtiza also touches upon his keen interest to explore the implications of the pandemic on children and young people during such unprecedented times.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr Jolel Miah, lecturer in psychology, who talks about his journey to completing an undergraduate degree and PhD as a first-generation Bangladeshi student. We discuss the process of learning and representation within psychology.

In this final episode for 2021, we are joined by Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist Leila Lawton who draws upon her research with ethnic minority populations and raises a crucial question "Is CBT only for White people?". Leila offers advice on how to adapt therapy and discusses the importance of cultural humility and sensitivity in clinical practice.

In this episode we are joined by Dr Nancy Nsiah who introduces the Social Change Echosystem model as a helpful way of promoting anti-discriminatory practice in mental health settings. Nancy also reflects on her own journey to clinical psychology.

In this episode, we are joined by Shah Alam (Trainee Clinical Psychologist) who shares his doctoral research findings that explored the mental health barriers & support for men from the Bangladeshi community. Shah also talks about the lack of representation & his personal journey into the profession.

BONUS EPISODE: Given the exciting launch of their website, the hosts of the What About Us podcast (Afsana Faheem and Kate Cooper) reflect on their journey over the last year and a half. They talk about the importance of podcast in the context of clinical psychology teaching and practice. https://www.whataboutuspodcast.com/

We talk to Ben Kwapong (Trainee Clinical Psychologist) from University of Bath who shares his success of getting onto the DClinPsy Programme in the context of underrepresentation of Black men within the profession.

This month we are joined by Dr Sabinah Janally (Mentor & Clinical Psychologist) and Khyati Patel (Mentee & Trainee PWP) on the BAME Mentor Scheme at University of Bath. We showcase the importance of the mentoring scheme and how it can help transform and diversify the clinical psychology profession.

We discuss Nura Aabe's research about autism awareness in the Somali community. This includes her outreach work in the community; how health and social care services can work better with culturally diverse groups; and her experience of being typecast as the BAME voice despite being director of an autism support organisation and successful researcher.

In our last episode for 2020, we are joined by Myira Khan who is a qualified counsellor, tutor and coach. Myira is the founder of the Muslim Counsellor Network and GrowtoGlow coaching service. Myira discusses the importance of representation, as well as the inequalities in accessing psychological training programmes and culturally inclusive therapy by people of colour.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr Jo Daniels, Academic Director of the DClinPsy Programme at University of Bath who talks about social class, the challenges of classism and her experiences of working within the clinical psychology profession.

In this episode we focus on men's mental health, with a particular focus on men from ethnic minority communities. We are joined by Ontonio Dawson who is a Psychological Therapist, Minister of Religion and founder of #SpeakBlackMan. Ontonio talks about his journey within clinical psychology and shares his invaluable experience of working with diverse communities.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr Mary Griggs, Lead Clinical Psychologist working in Bristol. Mary talks about her experience of working with the deaf community, as well as the refugee and asylum seeker communities. Mary shares useful insights about working with such diverse groups.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr Juliette McClendon who is an Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at Boston University. Juliette talks about Black mental health and how racial discrimination contributes to PTSD. Community challenges in clinical practice and advice on cultural competence is offered.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr Andrew Beck (Consultant Clinical Psychologist & President of BABCP) who shares effective stratagies to work cross-culturally, including ways to increase access to therapy and how to make culturally sensitive adaptations.

We are joined by Saiqa Naz (CBT Therapist) who talks about the development of the IAPT BAME Positive Practice Guide and offers a personal account of her journey through the professional which includes experiences of discrimination and structural inequalities. Saiqa also discusses the benefits of good supervision.

We talk to Dr Mandeep Singh Kallu (Clinical Psychologist) who shares his personal experiences of racism, misinterpretation of his actions by other professionals, and power dynamics within the Clinical Psychology profession.

Dr Norah O'Shea (Lead Clinical Psychologist) talks about her journey into Clinical Psychology which includes personal experiences of racism, discrimination, and social class differences. Norah also discusses her experience of working with diverse communities.

We talk to Dr Nadia Rehman Sadiq (Clinical Psychologist) who talks about how she adapts therapy for clients from ethnic minority backgrounds, particularly those from Muslim communities. She draws upon her own research about Muslim women's experiences of therapy, and shares how she uses social media to reach a broader range of clients.

In this episode we are joined by Dr Glorianne Said (Clinical Psychologist) who talks about how she's tailored therapy to the needs of refugee and asylum young people. She also talks about group dynamics, working with interpreters, and the importance of cultural considerations.

We are joined by Dr Razia Akhtar (Clinical Psychologist) who talks about her work as a Psychologist in a community mental health team. Razia talks about the adaptations she makes to therapy, as well as how she incorporates her cultural background when working with people from ethnic minority communities.