NAPD 2021 Women's Virtual Conference

The role of a psychologist within the Holistic Defense model can go well beyond the typical role of conducting forensic evaluations for competency. The premise of holistic defense is to provide whole-person services to criminal justice-involved clients. Psychologists can assist in this goal by providing direct and indirect services. Direct services in the form of psychological assessments, chemical dependency and mental health evaluations, individual or group therapy, and psychoeducation. Indirect services include interdisciplinary education and consultation for defenders, prosecutors, courts, and probation officers. Indirect services also include the collection of data and conducting research and program evaluation.

Presented by two Indigenous women who trained within a Westernized education model, while balancing Indigenous values, worldviews, and healing. Both presenters worked within a Tribal Defenders Office using a Holistic Defense model and supported an on-reservation re-entry program. They completed their doctoral dissertations utilizing data collected from the program they helped design with the goal of facilitating a culturally-appropriate risk-needs-responsivity assessment.