Adapting for different clients is an important skill for the psychology professional. It is sometimes easy to get lost in one’s own paradigms and forget that there may be different aspects that need to be considered when evaluating and working with different clients. This post will focus on three different diverse groups: Older adults, Muslims, and Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual clients.
Older adults include adults age 65 and up. Under this requirement, 20% of the United States Population is currently considered an older adult and those numbers are growing with adults over 85 rising faster than all other age groups (APA, 1998). Psychology professionals working with older adults present unique problems, such as appraisal of lifespans, restricted timeframes, death of friends and family members and dementia. Laidlaw and Baike suggested the psychology professional working with this group be well informed of the issues that older adults face and the challenges they face. Older adults may enter therapy for mental issues, but they may seek help with personal growth or relationship help. Additionally, therapists need to understand that in addition of mental issues, older adults will invariably face physical illnesses as well (Laidlaw & Baike, 2007). Understanding why older adults may enter therapy and how co-morbidity affects this particular group will be most helpful in determining how to treat this population of clientele.
The second largest religion worldwide is Islam and there has been a significant rise to the Muslim population in the United States (Carter & Rashidi, 2004). Due to various factors, the negative view and portrayal of Muslims in the media may affect the mental health of this group. Additionally Muslims may view mental health issues from a religious perspective of having an unsound spiritual heart or other religious sub-themes. Weatherhead and Daiches suggest incorporating the Islam faith into therapy treatments and being aware of issues of spirituality and mindfulness for these clients (Weatherhead & Daiches, 2010). Consequently, focusing on more holistic or humanistic approaches with this group may prove to be advantageous.
Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) clients have shown to attempt psychotherapy treatment more often than any other group (as cited in Pachankis & Goldfried, 2004). LGB clients often present issues involving identify development, family, ‘coming out’ and discrimination. Pachankis and Goldfried suggest that in addition to being sensitive to these problems, the psychology professional will need to be consider that as the profession of psychology historically condemned sexual minorities and as such, will need to show they are able to treat the LGB client without bias.
Although there are unique differences that apply to each of these diverse groups, it is important to remember that there is further diversities among the make-up of each population. It is important for the psychology professional to avoid making sweeping generalizations about any diverse population, yet it is indeed important to recognize the issues and concerns that each group faces and to apply this to treatments. It is also necessary for the psychology professional to identify and deal with any biases one may have against any particular group. Learning how to treat a client with sensitivity and tolerance is paramount for any psychology professional.
References
American Psychological Association. (1998). What practitioners should know about working with older adults. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 29(5), 413-427. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.29.5.413
Carter, D., & Rashidi, A. (2004). East meets West: integrating psychotherapy approaches for Muslim women. Holistic Nursing Practice, 18(3), 152-159.
Laidlaw, K., & Baikie, E. (2007). Psychotherapy and demographic change: Why psychotherapists working with older adults need to be aware of changing demographics now. Nordic Psychology, 59(1), 45-58. doi:10.1027/1901-2276.59.1.45
Pachankis, J., & Goldfried, M. (2004). Clinical Issues in Working With Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients.Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 41(3), 227-246. doi:10.1037/0033-3204.41.3.227
Weatherhead, S., & Daiches, A. (2010). Muslim views on mental health and psychotherapy. Psychology & Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice, 83(1), 75-89.
