Deaf people are likely to enter therapy with the same problems as hearing people. However, there are many studies showing that members of the Deaf community experience health disparities due to language barriers, which contribute to lower health literacy1,2. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that most physicians and psychologist are not adequately prepared to provide linguistically and culturally competent care for deaf patients3. Also, the deaf community experience many obstacles to get the help: language barriers, low health literacy and small-community dynamics4. Deafness is a very heterogeneous concept, because being deaf can be the result of the combination of different factors. Classifications can be made according to various criteria,
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This can lead to miscommunication, misunderstanding, and misinformation which can harm the therapeutic relationship, thus making effective therapy unattainable. Clinicians should reframe these beliefs and overcome barriers in order to make way for the therapeutic process to begin7. As we know it today, stigma is not merely a physical mark but rather an attribute that results in widespread social disapproval The origin of stigmatization lies in the cognitive representations that people (perceivers) hold regarding those who possess the stigmatized condition (targets)8. Hearing clinicians may have unconscious biases that can affect their decisions when working with deaf clients. Their decisions can have great impact on the individuals they serve. They may view the deaf individuals as unintelligent or struggling with being deaf7. Deaf clients can feel inferior or disconnected with their therapists who are unfamiliar with Deaf culture. Because many deaf individuals may have experienced prejudice and stereotyping from hearing individuals, they may be especially sensitive to clinicians who hold negative views about being deaf or who feel nervous, anxious, or angry around deaf people 7. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that most psychologist are not adequately prepared to provide linguistically and culturally competent care for deaf patients9. Many psychologists do not realize how few words can be …show more content…
Clients may hide information, such as compulsions or addictions, from clinicians until they feel safe in the relationship. During the initial sessions, clients assess the clinicians just as the clinicians assess them. Clients may focus on the therapist's demeanor, communication patterns, and underlying values of nonjudgment, openness, and authenticity to determine how much information may be safely disclosed3,10,13. For deaf individuals, past experiences of audism and ableism may make them especially concerned about the therapist interpretations and beliefs about deaf people7 Mental health therapists should refer deaf clients to therapists who have knowledge of deaf culture instead of working with them without such knowledge14. Psychologist should overcome barriers make the therapeutic process more effective in order to attend the needs of this community in order to make way for the therapeutic process to begin7. Experiences among deaf individuals growing up in all-deaf families can be better understood by examining their lives, cultural values, and strengths. Their experiences are not widely known, due to the lack of awareness among professionals in the mental health and school systems about this unique
This can lead to miscommunication, misunderstanding, and misinformation which can harm the therapeutic relationship, thus making effective therapy unattainable. Clinicians should reframe these beliefs and overcome barriers in order to make way for the therapeutic process to begin7. As we know it today, stigma is not merely a physical mark but rather an attribute that results in widespread social disapproval The origin of stigmatization lies in the cognitive representations that people (perceivers) hold regarding those who possess the stigmatized condition (targets)8. Hearing clinicians may have unconscious biases that can affect their decisions when working with deaf clients. Their decisions can have great impact on the individuals they serve. They may view the deaf individuals as unintelligent or struggling with being deaf7. Deaf clients can feel inferior or disconnected with their therapists who are unfamiliar with Deaf culture. Because many deaf individuals may have experienced prejudice and stereotyping from hearing individuals, they may be especially sensitive to clinicians who hold negative views about being deaf or who feel nervous, anxious, or angry around deaf people 7. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that most psychologist are not adequately prepared to provide linguistically and culturally competent care for deaf patients9. Many psychologists do not realize how few words can be …show more content…
Clients may hide information, such as compulsions or addictions, from clinicians until they feel safe in the relationship. During the initial sessions, clients assess the clinicians just as the clinicians assess them. Clients may focus on the therapist's demeanor, communication patterns, and underlying values of nonjudgment, openness, and authenticity to determine how much information may be safely disclosed3,10,13. For deaf individuals, past experiences of audism and ableism may make them especially concerned about the therapist interpretations and beliefs about deaf people7 Mental health therapists should refer deaf clients to therapists who have knowledge of deaf culture instead of working with them without such knowledge14. Psychologist should overcome barriers make the therapeutic process more effective in order to attend the needs of this community in order to make way for the therapeutic process to begin7. Experiences among deaf individuals growing up in all-deaf families can be better understood by examining their lives, cultural values, and strengths. Their experiences are not widely known, due to the lack of awareness among professionals in the mental health and school systems about this unique