In the United States, there is very little research dedicated to understanding the unique challenges that Pacific Islanders face. Literature review shows there are many possible stressors that Islanders face through their identity that therapists may be ill-equipped to assist simply through a lack of information and understanding. For example, the history and continuation of colonization across the South Pacific leads to transgenerational trauma, implicated cultural erasure, as well as the possibility of displacement. Another large stressor is ever-growing devastation brought on by natural disasters and rising sea levels that is a direct consequence of the climate crisis which destroys communities and forces displacement. While damage continues, Pacific Islanders are often overlooked by the rest of the world simply because the population is small, implying that non-islander clinicians may not be prepared to understand both the stressors and valuable cultural strengths that islanders have. This poster offers specific recommendations for clinical practices and directions for future research specific to Pacific Islanders. Such information is vital to better understand and effectively serve this ever-growing and diverse population, especially as more Pacific Islanders are expected to come to the United States.
