Learning through complex case studies of culturally and linguistically diverse clients

Background: The 2011 census data indicates that 24.6% of Australia's population was born overseas and 43% of residents had at least one overseas parent. These demographic trends present a challenge to Australian psychologists, whose traditional western education usually includes little training in cross-cultural communication and different cultural constructs of mental health, the result of which can be a mismatch of psychological interventions with cross-cultural beliefs and the extreme conditions of some clients' environmental backgrounds. This is further complicated by the remoteness of some practising psychologists. \ud \ud Aim: This Professional Practice Forum sponsored by the Psychology and Cultures Interest Group aims to educate the attendees about the complex issues that CALD clients may bring and the culturally appropriate and sensitive ways of addressing the issues of these clients. \ud \ud Methods: Four case studies dealing with the complex issues and treatment of CALD clients will be presented. Cases presented will demonstrate CALD issues associated with aging, acculturation stress, couple distress and difficulties of working in organisational settings. Presentations will be followed by discussion. \ud \ud Conclusion: It is expected that this interactive session will inform the attendees about the multicultural issues of CALD clients and the adapted interventions that can yield good results for their clients