Literature Review
Objectives
Understanding identity-integration and workplace-navigation experiences of minority-ethnic clinical psychologists is important for informing more diverse clinical practice. This scoping review aimed to map the available UK-based literature exploring the experiences of minority-ethnic trainee and qualified clinical psychologists.
Design and Method
Nine eligible UK-based qualitative studies were identified through systematic database searching and reference mining. Data was extracted and analysed in line with Thomas and Harden (2008) guidelines for Thematic Synthesis.
Results
Four analytical themes were generated: ‘Navigating heritage, expectations & career decisions’, ‘Navigating identity, belonging & representation in psychology’, ‘Working in a system that wasn't built for you’, and ‘Seeking safety in an unsafe system’.
Conclusion
This review suggests that minority-ethnic clinicians experience ongoing identity negotiation, self-monitoring communication, and inconsistent team openness toward difference-based conversations. Supervision and MDT cultures that foster relational safety and support identity cohesion. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Empirical Study
Objectives
Understanding the experiences of South Asian male clinical psychologists is important for drives toward an equitable workforce, particularly as they occupy both a minority gender and ethnic position. The study aimed to explore the experiences of South Asian male clinical psychologists working in National Health Service multidisciplinary teams (MDT).
Design and Method
South Asian male clinical psychologists were identified using purposive sampling, with six participants recruited to take part in semi-structured interviews, following which the data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.
Results
Four group experiential themes emerged from the data: ‘Identity Evolution, Conflict, and Connecting’, ‘Representation as Both Connection and Constraint’, ‘Minority Position: Advantage, Risk, and Burden’, and ‘Discussing Difference: Enabling or Silencing’.
Conclusion
This study highlights that clinicians’ NHS journeys involve identity negotiation, communication self-monitoring, variable team openness, and the enabling impact of supervisor curiosity. When conversations on difference are avoided, clinicians can feel isolated and harmed.
