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Abstract: 

Logan Wright, co-founder of the Society of Pediatric Psychology and the first Native American president of the American Psychological Association, established a foundation for the integration of the DSM into a broader multi-method assessment when working with Native Americans families. Logan maintained that culturally appropriate coping mechanisms,adaptations, and resiliency apply specifically to Native American families and that few groups have had to reconstruct themselves in response to multigenerational oppression and trauma as frequently as have Native Americans. This article surveys ways in which the DSM can be employed in conjunction with culturally significant elements to assess Native American family resilience and adaptability. Treats culturally competent Axis I, II, III, and V assessments, with implications for practice, research, and training.

Keywords: culturally responsive multi-method evaluation; dynastic ethos; practitioner cultural competency

Affiliations:  1: University of San Diego; 2: Oklahoma County Public Defender’s Office.