Recruitment, Retention and Professional Development of Psychologists in America: Potential Issue for Training and Performance

Abstract

The need for increased practitioner diversity, multicultural awareness, sensitivity and competence in the mental health field has been addressed multiple times in the decades following ethnic minority psychologists’ and others raising concern during the 1960’s in America. Specifically, the concern highlighted the issue that the mental health profession was not meeting the needs for people of color. The resulting American Psychological Association guidelines on multicultural education training, research and practice reflect an inclusive approach to multiculturalism and diversity. The conceptualization of diversity now includes multiple aspects of identity such as gender, race, ethnicity, age, ability and disability, sexuality and sexual orientation. However, review of the profession in America highlights incomplete progress in efforts to acknowledge, respect and embrace the multi-leveled facets inherent in diversity that potentially impact on efforts for recruitment, retention, training and professional development in the field of psychology.