Event on the Welsh language in psychology

The BPS Welsh Branch is hosting an event on the Welsh language, including its current use in psychology, and how to maintain the use of Welsh and remove barriers to its use in psychological practice. Thomas Jones, a second-year Clinical Psychology Doctoral student (Cardiff University/Prifysgol Caerdydd), and also a committee member of the branch and fluent Welsh-speaker, wanted to host an event due to his own professional experience.

He told us: 'So far in my clinical training I've not come across many Welsh-speaking psychologists, so I wanted to bring people together – for those who speak Welsh and for those with an interest in Welsh in psychology.' The online event will present research on Welsh speakers within psychology and provide a forum for discussion of the challenges for both psychologists and clients.

'Our core skills are around being curious and empathetic, and language plays a big role in that. We know when some people are speaking about difficult topics, they would rather do that in their maternal tongue.'

The event will be held on Wednesday, 30 July from 9.30am to 12.30pm. 'It's open to anyone with any or no proficiency in the Welsh language. Hopefully, we can open up a discussion around how people are using Welsh, what challenges they've come across, hopes and ambitions for the future, and ways we can remove any barriers.'

See BPS events.