Journal of Psychiatry

Within-groups differences: A challenge and pathway to effective therapeutic intervention

25^th World Summit on Psychology, Psychiatry & Psychotherapy

October 19-20, 2017 | San Francisco, USA

Esther Nzewi

California Institute of Integral Studies, USA

Keynote: J Psychiatry

Abstract:

Research on cross-cultural differences and demographic changes in Western countries resulted in addressing psychotherapy issues of race, cultural differences and diversity in United States and Europe. Multicultural Models in the US addressed therapeutic work with diverse clients, multicultural competence, professional development and growth. Multicultural Models are integral to counseling and psychotherapy in United States and approved by American Psychological Association; and AMCD. Racial groups and cultural differences have received warranted attention, but Within-Group Differences remain unnoticed in Monolithic Groups, the �??majority cultures.�?� Currently ethnic Nigerians in Western countries are viewed as mono-racial. Within-group differences like language, worldview perspectives, beliefs, values, differ from their multicultural representation as �??African Americans�?�. There is recognition of these major within-group differences and the need for multicultural competencies in psychotherapy with clients from different tribal groups that constitute the indigenous and indiaspora population of Nigeria. Developments in the US and Europe have drawn attention to within-group differences and raised questions about homogeneity assumptions in perspective, beliefs and values among majority cultures members. This paper makes a case for a focus on research for with-in group differences geared specifically for within-group members with different ideas and values. For Nigerians in diaspora, this paper describes Multicultural Competency consisting of six focus areas: Cultural Differences; Therapeutic Alliance; Acculturation; Stressors; Gender differences; Religion �?? Christian, Moslem. This paper articulates these differences, and a framework for improving the efficacy of psychotherapy with Nigerian Diaspora population.

Biography :

Esther Nzewi earned masters and her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from NYU, after a BA from Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia and an MS from Montclair State University, New Jersey. She is Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychology at CIIS, San Francisco and currently teaches at City College of San Francisco. Her areas of research interest include psychological assessment, cross-cultural psychology and psychotherapy and cognitive behavior therapy. She has taught at Alvan Ikoku College of Education and was in private practice doing psychological assessment, clinical and therapeutic work with clients in Nigeria. She has presented multiple papers and been featured in numerous journals.