As an Aboriginal psychologist, who for some years has worked out of an Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) in northwest New South Wales, I have often had people referred to me after they requested to see an Aboriginal psychologist. My first thought has often been, “How can I help this person?” and what is it that they want from me that is different from my non-Indigenous colleagues? I have also questioned my own cultural competence and what it means for me to be Aboriginal, especially since I grew up in the city, away from the Country of my ancestors, the son of a mother who was removed in the time of the Stolen Generations, with no tribal language and no strong cultural connections to people or Country.
The information contained on this website has been sourced by the Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project (AIPEP) and AIPEP 2. The first AIPEP was funded by the Australian Government Office of Teaching and Learning. AIPEP 2 is part of the Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing Project, funded by the Million Minds Mission Grant. The views expressed in this website do not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Government Office of Teaching and Learning or the Million Minds Mission Grant.
Several of the images used throughout this website are credited to Chris Lewis