Culturally Competent Practice: A Mixed Methods Study Among Students, Academics and Alumni of Clinical Psychology Master’s Programs in the Netherlands

Authors

  • Lennie R. C. Geerlings
    Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands; College of Arts, Society and Education, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
  • Claire L. Thompson
    School of Psychology, The Cairnmillar Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Psychology, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
  • Vivian Kraaij
    Department of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
  • Ger P. J. Keijsers
    Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands

Abstract

This is the first research into preparation for multicultural clinical psychology practice in Europe. It applies the theory of multicultural counselling competency (MCC) to a case study in the Netherlands. It was hypothesized that cross-cultural practice experience, identification as a cultural minority, and satisfaction with cultural training was associated with MCC. The Multicultural Awareness Knowledge and Skills Survey was completed by 106 participants (22 students, 10 academics, 74 alumni) from clinical psychology masters’ programs. MANOVA detected a main effect of cross-cultural experience on MCC for all groups and universities. The data were enriched with exploratory qualitative data from 14 interviews (5 students, 5 academics, 4 alumni). Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis revealed three themes: limitations of clinical psychology, strategies for culturally competent practice, and strategies for cultural competency development. These outcomes suggest that cultural competency continues to require attention in master’s programs. The paper makes recommendations for further research enquiry related to training clinical psychologists to practice in Europe’s multicultural societies.