A relational ecology for crisis prevention among unhoused indigenous peoples in Albuquerque.

Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, Vol 33(4), Dec 2023, 384-401; doi:10.1037/int0000308The purpose of this study was to inform the development of a crisis prevention process model focusing on the qualities present in relationships among unhoused Indigenous peoples and integrated healthcare providers when crisis is prevented. The scope of the study is on multidisciplinary healthcare teams (MHT) and removing barriers for clients to access the resources they need. This key-informant study conducted 24 semistructured interviews including (14) unhoused Indigenous people and (10) members of their MHT in 2021. The study consisted of two phases beginning with identifying study and interview questions through a participatory evaluation process. During the second phase, interviews were conducted and recorded by researcher. Coding assistance by the research team supported heuristic content analysis. An integrated healthcare provider’s cultural understanding of a client emerged as a fundamental tenant for a client to experience a sense of belonging on their MHT. Seventy-two significant statements were identified, two themes were acquired, structured into three categories, and synthesized into eight codes: cultural understanding, sense of belonging, focusing, strengths, listen, communication, informed, and intraorganizational systems. Ethical distress contributed to escalated crises and prevention barriers while MHT cohesion enhanced the capacity to support a client’s success. Part...
Source: Journal of Psychotherapy Integration - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research