This year has seen the inclusion of respectful and culturally reflective practice in the Ahpra Code of Conduct for psychologists, while simultaneously racial harm and marginalisation continue to be perpetrated across the world, including Australia.
In this webinar, Smruthy Nair and Janhavi Mistry will delve into the critical areas of cultural safety and racial trauma. Smruthy and Janhavi will begin with powerful lived experience sharing from migrant psychologists, providing authentic insights into the impact of racial trauma; they will then introduce the concepts of culturally responsive and affirming practice to equip participants with foundational knowledge. The session will transition into skill-building, offering practical strategies for clinicians to effectively respond to racial trauma and work in culturally competent ways with diverse clients. Their aim is to foster a deeper understanding and enhance the ability of psychologists to provide inclusive and effective support within the psychology community.
About our presenters: Smruthy Nair and Janhavi Mistry
Smruthy Nair (she/they) is a psychologist and board approved supervisor with a passion for simplifying the idea of mental health. She has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and adults, both in India and Australia. A psychologist since 2011, Smruthy has experience working as a clinician and in inclusion and advocacy roles in education, youth mental health, multiculturalism, family violence, and complex trauma across the private and public health sectors.
Committed to intersectionality and collaboration, Smruthy’s work relies on using an anti-oppression and systems focused lens, and they seek to bring this perspective in the areas of community upliftment, policy analysis and practice development. She runs the Other Chair, a peer supervision and support network for psychologists who are People of Colour and consults through Unhyphen Psychology. She currently works for the Northern Territory Department of Education and Training, leading the implementation of the Respectful Relationships Education program across all schools in the Territory.
Janhavi Mistry is a psychologist and first-generation migrant. When she moved from India to Australia in 2017, she brought with her a dream of becoming a psychologist, but also the uncertainty of visas, the loneliness of cultural barriers, and the impossible choice between paying bills and prioritising mental health. This is why Aira exists. At Aira, she works with people navigating anxiety, depression, stress, and alcohol and drug use through a trauma informed lens. To break down financial barriers, she also offers bulk-billed sessions for Indian migrants with a Mental Health Care Plan. Her style is collaborative and strengths-based. She believes that clients are the experts in their own lives, and her role is to help them build agency, resilience, and growth that lasts beyond therapy.
Beyond individual work, Janhavi also brings forward global and cross-cultural perspectives by bringing on international voices via her new initiative. It’s a space for mental health practitioners to think differently, learn from international voices, and work more inclusively.
Webinar timing: 1:00 – 2:00 pm AEDT
Access to the recording of this webinar: A recording of this webinar will be available through the CPD Webinar Library, but for the best experience and the opportunity to ask your questions, join us live. Everyone who registers will be advised via email as soon as the recording is available. Members have unlimited access to the recording, and non-members will have access for 6 months.