Without mental health, there is no health.

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Psychological principles can be used in various ways depending on the issues, problems and culture. For example, we are collaborating with a clinic in India where there is a stigma for women seeking help for emotional problems—especially if it is via a male provider. They adopted an approach that female primary care doctors would gain counseling training, so when women sought care for a culturally “approved illness,” following the physical exam, counseling could begin on the actual psychological issues present. One first has to understand the needs, the culture, and the limitations in order to address possible solutions that can be tried and evaluated. I believe psychology is one of the most culturally mindful health care professions. Our undergraduate and graduate training incorporates a cultural competence and literacy in all that we do. This is particularly important in these more globalized times and we find ourselves working in different cultures and with immigrant or refugee populations.

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