Championing cultural responsiveness in psychology with Rahel Mamaradlo

Lawson Clinical Psychology is proud to spotlight the voices and experiences of inspiring individuals working and studying in mental health—particularly those from Indigenous backgrounds. Recently, we had the pleasure of reconnecting with Rahel Mamaradlo, a psychology student and Dr Tracey Westerman Indigenous Scholarship recipient, whose passion for people and commitment to cultural responsiveness continue to grow.

Mental health access and representation

One of Rahel’s strongest advocacies is for improving access to mental health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. She highlights a significant gap in accessible, clear information- particularly regarding referral pathways, service costs, and what psychologists do.

“I still see a lack of transparency. People often don’t know where to start, how to get a diagnosis, or even who to ask,” she explained.

“If we had a central platform that explained the steps, listed local services, and detailed cost options- especially for those on concession cards- it would make a huge difference.”

This issue is compounded by a broader mistrust of mental health services in some communities, which Rahel attributes to a lack of understanding and cultural visibility in the profession. “There’s still stigma. Sometimes people don’t know what psychologists do. There’s a lot of work to do in terms of education and community engagement.”

Cultural responsiveness is everyone’s responsibility

Rahel also spoke candidly about the emotional labour placed on Indigenous staff within health systems. “Burnout happens when Aboriginal staff are the only ones advocating for cultural responsiveness. It’s not their job alone- non-Indigenous professionals need to share that responsibility.”

She emphasised that being culturally appropriate isn’t a one-off initiative.

“It’s about being culturally responsive- continually adapting to the changing needs of communities. Aboriginal clients can tell when a service is genuinely aligned with their needs and values.”

Rahel’s experience working in both Indigenous-led and mainstream government settings reinforced this. “In Aboriginal-led spaces, there’s more responsiveness, collaboration, and trust-building. In mainstream settings, I felt like it was rigid. Leaning more into the mentality of but we’ve been doing it this way for years.”

Advice for future Indigenous psychologists

When asked what advice she’d give young Indigenous people pursuing psychology, Rahel encouraged deep reflection on purpose. “Psychology is a long path. You need to really think about why you want to study it- what your end goal is and what you’re passionate about.”

She also recommended starting small, like enrolling in a Mental Health First Aid course. “It’s a great introduction to the kind of challenges you might face in this space. And it’s practical- something you walk away from with real skills.”

Looking ahead: A more inclusive future for psychology

Rahel remains passionate about integrating cultural identity, storytelling, and group-based therapeutic approaches into mainstream psychology. “Things like yarning, group support, and promoting identity- they have a huge impact on healing and self-determination, especially for young people.”

She’s encouraged by the progress she sees in the field- from textbook updates to growing conversations around intersectionality and racial trauma. “I used to think psychology was one-size-fits-all. But I’ve learned it’s evolving. There are good people doing good work, and there’s space for us to make change.”

At the end of our conversation, Rahel’s warmth and commitment to inclusive care were undeniable. She’s not only studying psychology- but she’s also shaping its future.

Rahel would like to emphasise that the insights shared in this blog reflect their personal experiences and perspectives. These should not be taken as representative of their entire community or mob, nor of all Indigenous peoples. Each story is unique, and this is just one voice among many.

Written by Ellie Martin and Jeanne Du Toit.

More information

If  you would like to learn more about culturally responsive therapy and assessments at Lawson Clinical Psychology, call 6143 4499 or email via our contact page. If you’re an early career psychologist hoping to be a part of a dynamic and engaged team, contact us to learn more about our graduate program.

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