Indigenous Psychological Services

CSPs represent a personalised professional development plan which can be delivered in a number of flexible and complementary formats. Optimally, working through the CSP requires cultural supervision [1] processes and structures to be in place within the respondent's workplace. If these processes and structures do not exist, IPS can provide this support through its online e-learning environment or cultural supervision [1] services. However, the CSPs have been designed so that they also fit seamlessly into the existing clinical supervision arrangements and processes of organisations and agencies. One of the most powerful features of this integrated approach to workforce development is the capacity to specifically target individual needs based on objective baseline criteria from the CCT. Additionally, the CSP provider's respondents with a comprehensive set of resources that enables skills gains to be achieved over time.

[1] Cultural supervision is defined as the process of providing specific guidance and training regarding the cultural manifestations of social, emotional and psychological problems.

Indigenous Youth (aged 13 -17) Intervention Program **available 2010

IPS have developed the only known Indigenous specific youth indicated intervention program which will be launched in 2010 and available in train the trainer version. The Youth Intervention Program focuses on reducing the known risk factors associated with the development of depression and suicidal behaviours. It also focuses on the development of protective factors demonstrated to reduce risk for the development of disorder (refer to Westerman, 2003 for an overview). The training content is able to be delivered in modules which mean that trainers are able to select modules based on the needs of Indigenous youth and their community. These modules focus on the development of cultural resilience and strong identity, the development of anger management strategies, conflict resolution specific to the management of racism, problem solving and effective communication. The program has been developed by Indigenous psychologists for Indigenous youth and its content is therefore centred around the particular communication styles of Indigenous people and how to deliver content in the most effective way for Aboriginal young people. To express your interest in this package please click here

WASC-A **available 2010

This system allows counsellors to capture and manage extensive client information from the point of contact, point of referral, case planning as well as psychological and mental health assessment. The system incorporates a series of 'prompts' which direct counsellors to insert relevant cultural information pertaining to the presenting issue, Once all client information is entered the system generates automated reports for your client. This system is currently not available anywhere on the market. The distinct templates enable counsellors and organisations to collect Aboriginal specific client data as well as manage a whole range of client information. It also acts as an important guide for practitioners to ensure that cultural issues are incorporated and managed throughout every aspect of client contact. The automated system includes 6 separate client templates which can be purchased as 'stand alone' packages or as a comprehensive system.

Template 1: Indigenous-Specific Client Data Base Management
IPS has developed an Aboriginal Specific Client Data Base Management System in response to the fact that existing data base systems are not tailored to the needs of practitioners who work directly with Aboriginal mental health clients. Information specific to Aboriginal SEWB and mental health is a focus of the data management system. For example, the use of traditional healers, extended families, elders and cultural treatments is one of the major advantages of the system. In combination the system enables automated monthly reports on the client contact to be generated with ease. The system is able to be tailored to the needs of the team so that a majority of core information is captured quickly and automatically.

Template 2: Indigenous Client Referral Proforma
This provides prompts at the stage of initial referral to ensure that correct cultural protocols are enacted in relation to taking on the referral of Aboriginal clients into services. This ensures that there are no cultural conflicts associated with taking on the referral and also increases the likelihood of service uptake by Aboriginal clients. The proforma also incorporates a range of prompts regarding the capturing of Aboriginal specific information upon which to base the initial case plan (see below), assessment of appropriateness or not of referrals as well as relevant client background information.

Template 3: Initial Case Plan
This proforma provides automated prompts for clinicians to generate a comprehensive case plan for Aboriginal mental health clients at the point of initial allocation. This provides Aboriginal specific client information and is linked with the client file notes and additional case plans. The most important aspect of this case plan however, is that there is an automated template that enables practitioners to develop a Cultural Formulation of Presenting Issues. This template provides prompts on how to 'make sense' of precipitating and maintaining issues relative to cultural factors that can be implicated in disorder (unwellness).

Template 4: Indigenous Specific Client File Notes
This module provides an automated template that provides prompts to enter client details following counselling sessions. This enables client file notes to be managed efficiently and within an appropriate framework.

Template 5: Client Psychological Assessment Report
This proforma provides a comprehensive sequence of automated prompts which 'guides' the clinician through an Aboriginal-specific report writing process. The report is focused particularly on psychological assessment and is suitable for psychologists or those who utilise psychometric assessments with Aboriginal clients. This proforma provides a range of prompts specific to Aboriginal mental health problem formulation in a manner that enables practitioners to generate client reports suitable for a range psychological settings. The module also incorporates the Cultural Formulation of Presenting Issues Template as well as the Differential Diagnosis regarding assessment of culture-bound illnesses (e.g. is the client experiencing psychosis or spiritual visits). This guides the practitioner through the assessment process.

Template 6: Indigenous Specific Client Report
This proforma provides a range of prompts specific to Aboriginal mental health and social and emotional wellbeing. This provides direction for counsellors regarding how to identify cultural, spiritual and other issues which may be implicated in client 'unwellness'. These prompts enable the counsellor to develop reports that are inclusion of cultural issues that require addressing in any form of clinical or traditional intervention (treatment). Once the counsellor enters the necessary information, the system then generates client reports suitable for a range of different settings. This includes Stolen Generations Programs (Bringing Them Home and Link-Up Services), basic social and emotional wellbeing and mental health assessment for referring mental health organisations.