The integration of queer-related curriculum in psychology training in Aotearoa/New Zealand: A survey with programme directors

Abstract

As a key profession within the mental health workforce, psychologists can offer affirmative services that lead to positive therapeutic outcomes for queer clients. This study examined how training programmes to become a registered psychologist in Aotearoa New Zealand currently provide content on working with queer clients. In 2022, all (N = 17) programme directors of psychology training were invited to participate in a survey that assessed the cultural responsiveness of their training programmes and 15 responded. One-fifth (19%) classified their programme as containing at least ‘a moderate amount’ of queer content. Four-fifths (79%) reported that knowledge of caring for queer clients would be ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ important in psychology practice and/or thought more time should be dedicated to such content. Over half (57%) adopted an ‘add on’ approach to deliver queer content (e.g. guest lectures). During a time when queer communities experience drastically high rates of mental health issues and high exposure to minority stressors, there is a critical gap in the meaningful threading of queer content across the psychology curriculum. We have outlined ten points for reflection on developing this aspect.