During the first half of 2021, several members of the Student and Early Career Psychologist (SECP) Committee participated in a project-based mentoring program, in which early career policyholders were matched with an SECP member and veteran policyholder to discuss several issues, including one regarding diversity, equity and inclusion issues (DEI).
These mentoring meetings occurred virtually over several months, culminating in a final product. Dr. Princess Drake, Chair of the SECP Committee and co-facilitator of the DEI group, noted the importance of the discussions she and the groups were able to have regarding DEI. She noted that the group discussed several topics, such as the meaning of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the context of clinical work, the differences between cultural competence and cultural humility, and volunteerism in local organizations which have a diversity focus.
Further, she noted that they discussed how to engage community members in community mental health settings, many of which would involve discussions regarding cultural competence and cultural humility. Dr. Drake stated that the final group product was what they saw as a starting document to stimuate thinking about issues regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion.
In discussing this final document, she highlighted a few components that would be important to policyholders considering issues regarding cultural competence and humility. Dr. Drake discussed the importance of being aware of what is needed to be “competent,” reminding clinicians to think about what the clinicians themselves bring into the room. Additionally, it would be important to discuss resistance based on cultural background.
Further, it would be important to think about the intersectionality of different minority statuses, such as being a BIPOC and gay. Finally, she discussed the importance of knowing the differences between equity, inclusion, and equality as well as thinking about what role a clinician may have in advocacy or social justice.
Dr. Drake stressed the importance of the document being a start of the discussions regarding cultural competence and humility, not the answers. Importance to the group was to think about the questions, self-reflect, and gain a better understanding about how to deepen one’s own understanding of DEI issues.
Dr. Drake highlighted her renewed inspiration and commitment to DEI issues as a BIPOC. She noted looking forward that she hopes to use the knowledge gained from such discussions in her own work, but also in her work with The Trust, encouraging The Trust to spotlight cultural humility with risk management.
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About the Authors
Dr. Princess Drake is a Mental Health Practitioner at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and Adjunct Assistant professor with the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate school of Addiction Studies. Dr. Drake completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the Florida School of Professional Psychology (FSPP) at Argosy University in 2018. Dr. Drake completed her pre-doctoral internship at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation in Center City, MN and is currently completing her licensure process. Dr. Drake earned her M.A. in Clinical Psychology from FSPP in 2015 and M.S. in Professional counseling at Lipscomb University in 2012. She currently serves as Chair-Elect for The Trust Student and Early Career Psychologist Committee. Her primary interests include co-occurring disorders, trauma, psychosis, diversity/ identity issues, and personality disorders. Dr. Drake is dedicated to working with diverse populations and obtaining additional experience through leadership, mentoring, and academic training. She has previously served as the Florida Psychological Association (FPA) Board of Directors’ Student Representative and FPA Graduate Students (FPAGS) President, American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS) Campus Representative, and FSPP Student Psychological Association Mentor Coordinator.
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Dr. Kento Yasuhara Dr. Kento Yasuhara received his B.A. in Psychology from Cornell University, and received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in forensic psychology from Drexel University in 2012. He completed a pre-doctoral internship at Patton State Hospital in California and a post-doctoral fellowship at the Institute of Law, Psychiatry, and Public Policy at the University of Virginia. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and Sociology at the University of New Haven. He is also a clinical psychologist at Straun Health and Wellness.
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