PHD Personal Statement Clinical Psychology Example

Depression and Anxiety in Transcultural Populations

Since completing my master’s degree in clinical psychology in the United States, I have worked extensively with clients from diverse social backgrounds and ethnicities in a clinical setting, both in the US and Japan. This experience has left me with a strong impression that the current understanding of the symptomology of depression and anxiety among transcultural populations is currently inadequate, calling out for additional research in order to improve therapeutic outcomes. This is the subject that I hope to pursue with special diligence in my doctoral studies and I am convinced that such research will yield positive results. My first choice among doctoral programs is the ____ University of Technology.

I have spoken with Dr. Khawaja who began her career as an international student and has a special interest and expertise in the field of transcultural psychology. She is enthusiastic about supervising my research if I am accepted to the program. Dr. Khawaja has developed five original assessments and validated nine existing assessments in multicultural populations and I am excited by the prospect of learning to develop culturally sensitive assessments and interventions under her supervision. I am also strongly attracted by ____’s focus on the ‘real world’ as my chosen area of research relating primarily to the finding of practical solutions.

After discussing potential research populations with Dr. Khawaja, she encouraged my focus on migrants, refugees, and international students residing in Queensland, in addition to Japanese and Mongolian speaking residents of Japan and Mongolia.

Enhancing the Internationalisation for Australia's education, training and research sectors. (maximum 200 words)

• Explain how the proposed activity will enhance collaborative partnerships with key institutions in countries of strategic policy; see (Appendix A in Program Guidelines.)

• Describe how these partnerships will strengthen the capacity of Australia's education, training and research sectors

• Outline any anticipated educational, social, economic or other benefits

I have worked extensively with clients from multicultural backgrounds, including international students and migrants. Some of my recent work includes exploring: awareness of LGBT issues among employees in traditional Japanese company culture; predictors of psychosocial, acculturative and academic success of international students at the Tokyo international school; acculturative stress of youth in Japanese public schools; integration and resilience of expats (adults and youth); protective factors promoting wellbeing in expats; and cultural competency.

Alignment with Australian Government strategy. (maximum 200 words)

• Summarise how the proposed activity aligns with Australian Government priorities for education, training and research. This includes but is not limited to:

  • The National Strategy for International Education 2025

https://nsie.education.gov.au/sites/nsie/files/docs/national_strategy_for_international_education_2025.pdf

• The National Innovation and Science Agenda

• Increasing opportunities for institutions and individuals in regional Australia

• Promoting participation of underrepresented groups including Indigenous

As a PhD candidate, my research is aligned with Australia`s ‘National Strategy for International Education 2025’ to enhance diversity and the mental health of underrepresented community members. I hope to address gaps in the literature by first examining anxiety and depression in the mainstream population. Then I will extend my research to culturally and linguistically diverse migrants, refugees, and international students. I will focus on mental health promotion, integration and social inclusivity of migrants, refugees and international students through acculturation, resilience and skill building interventions.

Development of individual's knowledge and expertise. (maximum 300 words)

- Explain how the proposed activity will assist your professional development.

I have been very fortunate to have been able to pursue my higher education in three different countries, Mongolia, Japan and the United States. These experiences exposed me to significant cultural diversity and contrasting academic environments which has enabled me to develop a high degree of cultural awareness, sensitivity and appreciation. This exposure, together with a growing clarity about and insight into my chosen area of study. I am confident that I will be able to contribute culturally sensitive insights, therapy experiences, and research perspective from Japanese, German, Russian and Mongolian contexts and issues. I hope to contribute to the advancement of our field by working towards developing culturally sensitive and effective therapy approaches and assessments for understudied populations.

PHD Personal Statement Clinical Psychology Example