Los Angeles is one of the most diverse cities in the world, with people from over 140 countries speaking over 200 languages. This diversity makes it especially important that psychologists conducting psych evals are culturally competent.
CULTURE INFLUENCES THE WAY YOU PRESENT YOURSELF IN A PSYCH EVALUATION
Culture can have a significant impact on a psych evaluation in a number of ways. First, it can influence the way that people present their symptoms to the psychologist conducting their eval. For example:
Some cultures place a high value on self-reliance and shame, which can lead people to minimize or deny their symptoms.
Other cultures may have different ways of expressing and experiencing mental distress, which can make it difficult for clinicians to make accurate diagnoses.
It is normal in many cultures not to share too much personal information, which may lead to underreporting in a psych eval.
Many cultures are skeptical of Western medicine, or of mental health providers for reasons like religious beliefs or mental health stigma, which can change the way a person speaks to their psychologist in an evaluation.
It’s so important for a psychologist to consider the way culture may impact a patient’s comfort and willingness during a psychological evaluation. A psychologist should work to build trust and rapport during an interview for a psych eval, to ensure the most accurate testing results.
CULTURE IMPACTS THE WAY TESTS USED IN PSYCH EVALUATIONS ARE DEVELOPED
Cultural variables can also influence the way that psych evaluation tools are developed and used. Here are a few examples:
Many psychological tests were originally normed on white, middle-class populations, which means that they may not be accurate for people from other cultural backgrounds or who did not have similar learning opportunities.
Some cultures may have different views on what constitutes mental illness, so the measures used may not line up with the patient’s views.
Thankfully, today there is more awareness in general of the cultural biases that can be built into psychological tests, and test creators are using more diverse normative groups to determine what an “average” score looks like on testing.
BOTH PATIENT AND PSYCHOLOGIST CULTURE COME INTO PLAY IN PSYCH EVALS
Identity variables can also influence the way that psychologists and other mental health professionals treat their patients. Just as each patient has a cultural background that impacts their responses during testing, the psychologist has a cultural background that influences the work as well. Psychologists are trained in science and research methods as well as cultural competence, so they are often aware of common biases to watch out for, but we are all human. A psych evaluation is designed to minimize cultural bias as much as possible, so that the results are accurate and answer the question that needs answering. Ideally, your psychologist is also aware of the biases they bring into the psych eval, and does their best to minimize the impact of those on the testing and interpretation of results.
COMMON CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR A PSYCH EVAL IN LOS ANGELES, CA
Because Los Angeles is large and diverse, there are a few unique cultural challenges that you may have to navigate if you’re seeking a psych evaluation in LA. Here are some examples:
Language barriers:
Many people in Los Angeles speak a first language other than English, which can create a barrier to communication during psych evaluation, and may impact performance on certain neuropsychological tests. It’s very important to find a culturally competent psychologist who can consider the impact of culture on tests, and ensure that language factors don’t get in the way of accurate testing.
Cultural differences in symptom presentation:
People from different cultures may experience and express mental distress in different ways. For example, some cultures have higher rates of “somatic” symptoms; meaning that emotional distress shows up in physical ways like headaches or stomach problems. A culturally competent neuropsychologist will take these types of variables into consideration.
Cultural differences in attitudes towards mental illness:
Some cultures may have more negative attitudes towards mental illness, which can lead to people delaying or avoiding seeking help. Additionally, some cultures may have different beliefs about the causes of mental illness, which can impact the way that they seek treatment.
In Los Angeles and elsewhere, culture can come from many factors.
Obviously, country of origin and ethnic identity are cultural variables for many people, but other aspects of identity can affect testing as well. Other important identity variables include age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, immigrant status, veteran status, and more.
Ideally, you should seek a psychologist who is culturally competent, which means that they have the knowledge, skills, and awareness to provide effective mental health services to people from different cultural backgrounds. Inclusive and respectful practices will put you at ease in a psych evaluation. This will give you the best odds of getting an accurate and meaningful psych evaluation.
Receive a Psychological Evaluation in Los Angeles, CA
Getting a psychological evaluation from a culturally competent psychologist will ensure you get the most from this experience. Dr. Reger would be happy to offer support with psychological evals and other forms of support from her Los Angeles, CA-based practice. Start testing by following these simple steps:
Contact (424) 262-1925 to schedule your appointment
Meet with a Los Angeles Psychologist for an evaluation
Start receiving the support your loved one deserves
OTHER COUNSELING SERVICES OFFERED BY DR. REGER IN LOS ANGELES, CA
I know that you may encounter more than one mental health concern at a time. This is why I’m happy to offer multiple neuropsychological and psychological assessments in addition to the ADHD assessment. Other assessments include cognitive and dementia testing, pre-surgical assessments, and med-legal evaluations. In addition to evaluations, I also provide individual therapy, counseling for older adults, and mental health consultations and presentations.