June 24, 2021
by Elizabeth Pratt
As the world grapples to come to terms with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of mask wearing across the United States and around the world is highly variable.
Now a study from MIT has found that a public feeling of “collectivism” predicts whether or not mask use is common.
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The 2016 political season has been, notably, one of extreme discord with the threat of violence right below the surface.
Not since the Democratic convention of 1968 has there been such a display of radical differences of political opinion.
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December 24, 2015
by Agnes Oh, PsyD, LMFT
Every Holiday Season comes with an invitation to give as much as to receive. For many people, holidays are a time of celebration in the spirit of sharing. As people from all parts of the nation were joining the feast of Giving Tuesday on December 1, 2015, another surprising news came.
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The Hawaiian Islands are widely known for their beauty and rich cultural diversity. Located in the North Pacific Ocean, they encompass some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, some of the highest mountain peaks, volcanoes, waterfalls, rain forests, and protected land and native species. The climate in Hawaii boasts eleven of the thirteen climate zones in the world. The climate zones each have unique ecosystems and characteristics that make up their weather patterns. With all the natural beauty that Hawaii has to offer, the Hawaiian Culture and Spirit remain today the most powerful aspects of what make the Hawaiian Islands so special.
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A diverse population of people seeks behavioral health services every year, and it’s essential that they receive services that are effective and culturally sensitive. Developing cultural competence is an ongoing, lifelong process. There is always more to learn. When counselors have cultural awareness and competence, the clients they serve are more likely to engage, reach their goals, and have a positive experience with behavioral health services.
FB- Are you culturally competent? Find out if you understand what it means to be aware of diverse populations and its importance in our lives.
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October 12, 2014
by David Porter, MA
What is normal vs. abnormal exists on a continuum that varies from one culture and historical time period to the next. Clinicians will be most effective when they have a broad knowledge base of other cultures, as well as a good operational definition of this term.
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October 11, 2014
by David Porter, MA
Values, beliefs, and perspectives in rural areas differ from what is found in urban areas, including how mental illness and substance abuse are defined and treated. The rural environment poses unique treatment challenges, and ethical conundrums. The clinician, who works in these areas, particularly if they originate from and have been raised in an urban center, will have a greater chance of successfully delivering treatment if they are familiar with the cultural norms in rural areas.
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