There are opportunities for speech-language pathology services to be integrated across various stages of the justice process, from initial referral to court proceedings (Perrotti et al., 2024). Winstanley and colleagues (Winstanley et al., 2021) reported that youth with communication disabilities are over twice as likely to reoffend compared to peers without such difficulties. Without accurate identification and support, these individuals risk becoming entrenched in the justice system, reducing their chances for rehabilitation and positive contributions to society.
Compassionate, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive therapy to support your healing journey.
Throughout her career, Brown witnessed how schools can serve as critical access points for mental health care, particularly for students and families who face barriers such as stigma, cost or limited availability of services outside of school. Whether you’re dealing with mental health challenges or simply want to explore your cultural identity in a safe space, our mental health professionals are ready to support you. This approach not only enhances the therapy experience but also fosters mental health equity, ensuring that everyone receives the care they deserve. By keeping these lines of communication open, mental health practitioners can better support their clients in making meaningful changes.
Importance of Adapting to Cultural Values
With client assistance, client beliefs and traditions can serve as a framework for healing in treatment. The client must know the importance of his or her participation in the treatment planning process. Recognize, when appropriate, the client’s healing beliefs and practices and explore ways to incorporate these into the treatment plan. Take time to understand each client’s explanatory model of illness and health. Acknowledge client concerns and discuss the probable differences between you and your clients. Take time to learn the client’s perception of his or her problems, concerns about presenting problems and treatment, and preferences for treatment and healing practices.
AI/AN researchers also carry with them unique knowledge of culturally sound and ethical research methodologies to protect communities against harm (Walters & Simoni, 2009). These views, combined with research demonstrating positive outcomes for those who seek traditional healing, has led to policy recommendations to allocate funding to tribal programs to support cultural traditions and reimburse traditional healing (see Goodkind et al., 2010; Payne, Steele, Bingham, & Sloan, 2018). A convening of traditional healers, researchers, and clinicians provided a definition of traditional healing and traditional healer, in addition to points of integration for AI/AN practices with mental health services (Moorehead, Gone, & December, 2015). Related, there has been a call for institutional health care systems supporting Native traditional practices (Goodkind et al., 2010). Western mental health care is epistemologically different from AI/AN traditional belief systems in a number of ways (Duran & Duran, 1995; Gone, 2010; Hodge et al., 2009). In addition, research has shown that AI/AN individuals may prefer Native providers for mental health treatment (e.g., Aronson, Johnson-Jennings, Kading, Smith, & Walls, 2016; Venner et al., 2012).
- Although these trends vary across countries, they reveal common patterns that are deeply linked to broader social, economic, educational, and cultural factors.
- Tools like the Cultural Formulation Interview from the DSM-5 can provide a structured approach to exploring cultural factors that may influence mental health and treatment.
- We thank the Arizona ACE Consortium for their leadership in the field and their community providers for sharing their experiences and expertise.
- Enhancing CRPs for practitioners supporting youth in justice systems is a critical step toward addressing inequities and fostering inclusive outcomes for Indigenous and minoritized populations.
For instance, recognizing how racism, discrimination, poverty and historical trauma impact mental health and well-being. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all model, this approach integrates a client’s identity into treatment, ensuring that therapy acknowledges their values, beliefs, and Honoring Indigenous peoples through education lived experiences. Cultural background plays a large role in mental health and influences values and beliefs. This approach is adaptable and acknowledges how cultural influences shape an individual’s perception of health and illness.
