SPA 2023 - Integrating Multicultural Competencies and Social Justice into Assessment (2 CEs)

Abstract

Although multicultural counseling competencies and social justice are becoming an emerging cornerstone of psychological assessment, there are few structured clinical tools to assess a client’s cultural context and lived experiences with privilege and oppression. Understanding a client’s experience with cultural context is necessary to understand their psychological functioning and is key to conceptualizing their case through a holistic and culturally sensitive approach. In an increasingly diversifying field, it is also crucial that clinicians are provided tools and support to build their own reflexivity and self-awareness skills to consider multiculturalism and social justice throughout the psychological assessment process. This symposium is made up of 3 key components: (1) Reflections from assessment supervisors about integrating culture and social justice into assessment training, (2) Findings from a qualitative study about the Wright Constantine Structured Cultural Interview (WCSCI), and (3) A case study about integrating culture into assessment through the use of the WCSCI.

Discussant

Andrew Wright | New York University

Goals & Objectives

1. Identify the practical applications of using the WCSCI, a semi-structured cultural interview, in clinical practice.
2. Identify findings from a qualitative study about trainee experiences using the WCSCI.
3. Observe a case study where the WCSCI has been used as a tool for case conceptualization and diagnosis.