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This article describes the development of a cultural consultancy service in the context of a community psychology approach. It outlines the issues the cultural consultancy service is designed to address, the processes involved in setting it up and the challenges that were encountered in the process.

This paper considers the role of Islamic scholars as non-statutory providers of support for individuals with issues of psychological distress and wellbeing. A qualitative phenomenological analysis of the experiences of six Imams (Islamic religious officials) who saw this type of support as being part of their role is presented. Four themes were identified: “Building a personal relationship with the ultimate authority”; “Treating the whole person”; “God's medicine” and “Duty bound to help”. Clinical implications for the current and potential relationship between this type of support and mental health and psychological services are presented and discussed.

Culturally sensitive practice, both in the clinical and research context, is becoming more important as the world becomes increasingly multicultural. The aim of this article is to look at culturally sensitive research in the context of a study completed as part of a clinical psychology doctoral thesis. The article examines whether we can be culturally sensitive in research, as well as addressing barriers and possible solutions.

The aim of this study was to examine factors that affect intention to access psychological services in a sample of British Muslims of South Asian origin. It was hypothesised that the level of shame/izzat associated with mental health would predict intention to access services when controlling for other, more established, predictors. Ninety-four participants were recruited from community UK centres and online sources. Results indicated that shame/izzat and biological beliefs predicted lesser intent to access psychological services, whereas higher levels of acculturation and education predicted greater intention. Further analyses suggested differences between people that had migrated to Britain and those born in the United Kingdom. Higher education levels predicted greater intention for all participants. However, shame/izzat and duration of habitation in Britain were significant predictors for migrant participants, whereas acculturation predicted intent for those that were born in the country. Clinical impl...