Applying Diversity And Multicultural Guidelines In Correctional Psychology

Running head: APPLYING DIVERSITY/MULTICULTURAL GUIDELINES

Applying Diversity/Multicultural Guidelines
Monique D Brown Wellons
Walden University

Applying Diversity/Multicultural Guidelines
The Forensic psychology role that I have chosen is Correctional psychologist – the role of this professional is to provide rehabilitation and reintegration to offenders in the penal system. The role of the correctional psychologist has a diverse set of authority within the penal system. CP provides counseling to inmates in areas such as; substance abuse counseling, sexual offense therapy, life skills, coping skills and crisis intervention, there is also the development and management of prison programs
that will decrease recidivism (Arrigo, 2000).
The population that I am presently working with is mentally ill charged with a felony crime, that are found either (ITP – Incompetent to Proceed) or (NGI –Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity). I presently work with this population to help them to become competent to stand trial or Forensic case management when they are placed on conditional release.
The Multicultural Guidelines that I believe to be of great importance in Forensic psychology or any form of psychology are the following;
Guideline 1: Psychologists are encouraged to recognize that, as cultural beings, they may hold attitudes and beliefs that can detrimentally influence their perceptions of and interactions with individuals who are ethnically and racially different from themselves (APA, 2012) Working within a Forensic Mental Ill treatment center, you are going to encounter all different types of individuals with all forms of mental illnesses, and some of these individuals are going to commit some extremely horrific crimes, that may affect you in a way that you could become bias.
For example; I am extremely against individuals that rape, because this is something that is close to me, it would be hard to work with an individual or treat an individual without being judgmental or bias, so as a professional it would be in the best interest that I have another colleague work with this individual or choose not to work with this
population.

Guideline 2: Psychologists are encouraged to recognize the importance of multicultural sensitivity/responsiveness to, knowledge of, and understanding about ethnically and racially different individuals (APA, 2012). Again working with the Forensic population you are going to encounter and work with many different cultures, and one cultures may address situations then another culture, for instance; An Asian client might consider normal behavior chanting to an oak tree, in the middle of the night for three hours every night.
Where myself as the therapist may see that this behavior is abnormal, it is extremely important to not view certain behaviors of other nationalities as abnormal, as a good Therapist, researching the client’s culture is important to be able to properly treat the client. According to Welfel, 1988, Therapist should have a form of sensitivity towards diverse groups in order to properly provide therapeutic services. For a Therapist to be ethically grounded he/she must have a diverse knowledge into different world views, continuous education, training and supervision.
Guideline 5: Psychologists are encouraged to apply culturally appropriate skills in clinical and other applied psychological practices (APA, 2012). The basis of this guideline is that being multiculturally competent is extremely important, and that the treating Therapist should employ skills that are focus base on the client, directed more towards the clients cultural, and implementing appropriate cultural assessment tools that provide a range of
interventions. In conclusion these multicultural guides where put into place to provide a system where everyday practice interventions are revisited to employ stricter standards of cultural suitability and competence. For a therapist to be considered culturally competent he/she should ensure that they enlarge their role as a therapist that does not just engages in one on one therapy, but instead implement employable social change within the justice system. Nevertheless, employing anti-Semitic into therapeutic practice is a extremely difficult task that becomes an ethical concern. But implementing the Multicultural guidelines and APA Code of Ethics, ensures that racism does not affects mental health services and that these guidelines are set into place to be strategic intervention strategies to deter these societal issues.

References
American Psychological Association (2010). Ethical principles of psychologists and codes of conduct. Retrieved from: http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx#
Arrigo, B. A. (2000). Introduction to forensic psychology: issues and controversies in crime and justice. San Diego: Academic Press.
Welfel, E.R. (1988). Ethics in counseling and psychotherapy: Standards, research and emerging issues. Pacific Grove: Brooks/Cole.