Multilingualism is closely linked to multiculturalism.
At Positive Perceptions Psychology we are a specialist multicultural service that has a particular focus on meeting the needs of people from cultural and linguistically diverse communities. Our services are based on the evidence based model modified to be culturally sensitive, and where possible provided in appropriate community languages.
Australia is increasingly culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), requiring psychological services that are culturally competent, in multiple community languages across a large continent. Language and culture are intimately related, and central to mental health services because they profoundly influence every aspect of illness and adaptation including interpretations of and reactions to symptoms, explanations of illnesses, treatment adherence, emotional expression and communication styles and working relationships between patients, their families, and their psychologist. To speak a language competently implies knowledge of the culture associated with the language.
