Using the Training Modules

1. Using the Training Modules Daryl Fujii Ph.D., Honolulu Loretta E. Braxton Ph.D., Durham and the Multicultural/Diversity Committee (2010-2011) VA Psychology Training Council Contact persons: Daryl Fujii Ph.D., Honolulu (Daryl.Fujii@va.gov) Rachael Guerra Ph.D., Palo Alto (Rachael.Guerra@va.gov)

2. Committee 2010-2011 Loretta E. Braxton Ph.D., Durham (Co-Chair) Linda R. Mona Ph.D., Long Beach (Co-Chair) Angelic Chaison Ph.D., Houston Daryl Fujii Ph.D., Honolulu Rachael Guerra Ph.D., Palo Alto Jamylah Jackson Ph.D., North Texas Monica Roy Ph.D., Boston Christina Watlington Ph.D., Perry Point Miguel Ybarra Ph.D., San Antonio Susana Blanco Ph.D., Bedford (Postdoc) Nancy Cha, Honolulu (Intern) Paul Lephuoc, Houston (Intern) Katherine Hoerster Ph.D., Long Beach (Postdoc) Multicultural/Diversity Committee

3. Using the Training Modules:Overview of Materials • Modules are intended to be guidelines for developing training materials for your program. • Each module is designed as a stand alone training seminar/workshop and can be adapted for your training needs. • Each module is organized by learning objectives, topic information, activities/exercises, and references. • Training notes are provided in each module. • The activities and materials can be put to use at any stage of diversity awareness and skills.

4. Using the Training Modules: Preparation • Make the modules your own by reviewing both content and speaker’s notes and making decisions about what is useful for your environment • Explore the modules and gather the recommended participant materials • With continued use, it would be important to update slides with the most recent information. Modules are designed as a starting point for developing cultural competency and are not comprehensive.

5. Using the Training Modules:Overarching Goals • The revised Competency Benchmark Document (APA, 2011) cites the following as the most important dimensions of competence in Individual and Cultural Diversity (ICD):  • 2A. Understanding of Self as Shaped by Individual and Cultural Diversity ICD   • 2B. Understanding Others as Shaped by ICD • 2C. Understanding the Interaction of Self and others as Shaped by ICD • 2D. Applications based on Individual and Cultural Context American Psychological Association (2011). Revised competency benchmarks for professional psychology. Retrieved December 2, 2011. http://www.apa.org/ed/graduate/competency.aspx

6. Using the Training Modules:Achieving Goals Through Discussion of Module Materials • Cultural competency is best established through sharing and open-minded listening • Encourage self-reflection, honest talk, and a little humor among the participants • It will be essential that the facilitator establish an open and supportive space as trainees are at different levels of self-awareness and cultural competency • Defensiveness will have to be handled with care

7. Using the Training Modules:2A. Understanding of Self • Training should begin with the Self-Assessment module • Self understanding can also be developed during each topic area by having trainees reflect on and discuss how topics have influenced their lives and values (e.g. religion, sexuality, generation, acculturation, SEC, education, region raised, etc.)

8. Using the Training Modules: 2B. Understanding Others • An essential lesson is the appreciation of individual differences in cultures and “how one size doesn’t fit all” as a myriad of factors interact to make each of us unique individuals. • It would be useful to have trainees reflect on persons of a particular culture and discuss how generation, acculturation, environment, SEC, educational, experiences, and other factors that may have contributed to differences in presentation of these two individuals. • In cases that do not fit the “ethnic stereotype”, a discussion of what similarities remain would also be useful as a person “cannot” not be influenced by their cultural of origin. • These discussions would also be useful when applied to one self for developing self-awareness.

9. Using the Training Modules:2C. Understanding the Interaction of Self and others • Discussion topics to develop this skill would include: • How does your values, world view, upbringing, etc. compare to other cultures? • Are there conflicts or major differences? • If different, how might these differences affect your perception of a client or effectiveness in working with him/her? • How might these differences affect your client’s perception of, rapport with, or trust in you? • How might you feel if this client’s culture was the dominant one in society and he/she were imposing his/her values, world views, or interventions on you? How would you like to be treated to feel respected?

10. Using the Training Modules: 2D. Applications • Learning is often most useful when concepts are applied to one’s experience. Thus discussion on how materials are consistent with previous cases, how one could have done something different for unsuccessful cases, or how the materials are not consistent with previous cases are helpful. • It may also be useful to bring cases to the diversity e-mail group for discussion.

11. Using the Training Modules: Remember developing cultural competency is a process, not an event!