Deaf psychologists and the importance of inclusion
Like everyone else, people with hearing impairments also deserve to be able to go to a psychologist.
It is sometimes taken for granted that the integration of hearing-impaired persons society in Spain is now greater than ever before. But this is only partly true.
Towards more inclusive societies
The advent of smartphones, tablets, accompanied in turn by social networks and messaging and video-calling applications such as Whatsapp, has contributed to better integration and communication of the deaf community, among its members themselves and also with the rest of society.
But when a deaf person is going through difficulties such as anxietyor stress, or is exposed to emotionally difficult situations, sometimes they may feel misunderstood or frustrated because they do not know where to turn.
It is true that in Spain, the deaf community is currently the deaf community is grouped into associations and federations such as the Spanish Confederation of Deaf Families (FIAPAS), which defend the rights of these people, allow and facilitate contacts between them promoting links between this sector of the population.
Although there is still much to be done in terms of integration of the deaf community in the day to day, since there are not so many hearing people trained in their official sign language, and less those who can help them in situations where the mind is a decisive factor.
Psychological support for hearing-impaired people
The deaf community in Spain, according to official data from the State Confederation of Deaf People (CNSE), numbers more than one million people.
Despite the large number of hearing-impaired people in our country, there are still many television channels that do not incorporate a simultaneous translator in Spanish Sign Language (LSE) during prime time, opting instead for subtitles, which translate sounds automatically and do not reflect the information clearly.
Unfortunately, when a deaf person when a deaf person goes through a period of difficulty and does not find in others the support and sustenance he or shethe support and sustenance he/she needs... who does he/she turn to? Where can they go to be seen by psychologists with the ability to really understand them and offer them alternatives?
Due in part to the non-inclusive educational system in Spain years ago, many deaf people today do not understand texts and many cannot even write. In fact, it can be pointed out that problems in reading and writing The problems of this community tend to be generalized, and practically 90% of deaf people can be considered as oral language illiterates.
Psychologist for deaf people in Spain
The lack of trained psychology professionals capable of truly understanding and guiding deaf people with difficulties, or who are looking to increase their performance in some area of their lives, can be frustrating for a hearing impaired person.
As a psychology center, at UPAD Psychology & Coaching we offer psychological intervention services to anyone with hearing impairment, in face-to-face therapy or by video call, to make our range of outreach as inclusive as possible. You can find us at Calle Rey Francisco nº 27, Madrid, and our contact details are available on this page.
(Updated at Apr 14 / 2024)