Barriers Encountered by Young People From Black and Minority Ethnic Communities Accessing Psychological Services: Clinical Psychologists’ Perspectives

This research explores clinical psychologist’s perspectives on barriers to accessing psychological services for young people from Black, Minority and Ethnic (BME) communities. This study follows an analysis of the current and historical contexts of clinical psychology and its relationship with ‘race’ thinking. Particular attention is paid to the theory and practice of clinical psychology and its application across different ethnic contexts, as well as the legislative backdrop as it relates to children and young people. These aspects are considered to be implicated in disparities in access to psychology services for BME young people and families.
Eight clinical psychologists were interviewed, and the resulting transcripts analysed using thematic analysis from a critical realist epistemology. Three main themes were identified. Theme One concerns the profession’s predominant Whiteness and how this interacts with the task of improving access for BME young people and families. Theme Two considers the individual and systemic enablers and disablers to greater equality and how these are navigated by participants. Theme Three considers clinical psychologist’s perspectives on ethnic inequities in respect to how systems of language and service structure might create and ameliorate barriers to access.
Implications for clinical psychology practice and further research are considered. The findings indicate more should be done on individual and structural levels to facilitate clinical psychologists improving access for BME young people and families.