What is Cultural Competence in Therapy?

Therapy can be an intimidating space for many individuals. The dynamic relationship between therapist and client holds significant weight. Ideally, therapeutic relationships should embody cultural competence, meaning the ability to understand and appreciate individuals’ cultural backgrounds, whether they come from the same culture or vastly different ones. In therapy, this entails therapists creating space for clients to bring their entire identities into each session, feeling safe and open to explore all aspects of their lived experiences. Without cultural competence, clients may find themselves having to spend time explaining their cultural backgrounds, which can leave them feeling like their time and money are being wasted. Moreover, a lack of understanding or appreciation of clients’ backgrounds by therapists may limit clients’ sense of safety in the therapeutic environment.

Cultural competence is a therapeutic approach that respects your individuality, particularly focusing on how your cultural, religious, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity intersect in your everyday experiences. You should feel empowered to fully share your stories. As a client, you should be able to navigate how your identity positively or negatively impacts your mental health.

Why Cultural Competence Matters to Clients

In order to derive maximum benefit from therapy, it is essential for clients to feel comfortable bringing their whole, unique selves into therapy. Much of our identity stems from our cultural roots, including how we understand and navigate family dynamics, gender roles, conflicts, our own accomplishments and shortcomings, our roles in the world, significant holidays, and our values. All of these factors are relevant in the therapeutic process, and many of these topics may arise at some point regardless of the reasons why someone seeks mental health treatment. Thus, therapy is more likely to be helpful if you are willing to disclose cultural experiences that may contribute to your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Additionally, in some cases, one’s cultural background can shape how they perceive their mental health status. For instance, in some collectivist cultures, someone may struggle to disclose experiences of depression because they may fear the diagnosis would bring negative implications to their family or friends. This sense of shame is culture-specific, and therapists need to be able to assist clients in overcoming these particular feelings of shame. Furthermore, language barriers may make it challenging for some clients to engage in standardized diagnostic assessments. Language barriers may lead to additional complications in therapy, as some words for expressing emotions may not translate well; without direct language proficiency, clients’ ability to accurately describe their experiences may be limited, potentially resulting in incomplete therapy. Thus, having a therapist who is fluent in their primary language may be beneficial so that clients and therapists can ensure mutual understanding for assessment requirements. This would enable clients to receive accurate diagnoses.

How to Assess Therapists for Cultural Competence

Understanding what cultural competence means to you

Recalling moments where you felt seen for your whole authentic self may be helpful—moments where no part of your experience needed to be filtered. Try to identify some commonalities among these experiences. Perhaps they all occurred with individuals who were known for their open-mindedness or who asked thoughtful questions to better understand you. Consider how to replicate this in your conversations. In this example, someone who would benefit from a therapist who exhibits an open-minded attitude, asks thoughtful questions, encourages fuller self-expression, and listens with thoughtful consideration. Take some time with this exercise as it involves considering various aspects, including your personal ethnic, racial, gender, linguistic, and religious identities. Jotting down notes or discussing this with some friends may help process your feelings. The goal is to understand what kind of therapist you would like to find.

Ask questions

During your initial therapy sessions, feel free to ask your therapist questions about how cultural competence manifests in their practice. Prepare the type of answers you hope to hear and take time to reflect on your therapist’s responses after the therapy session. Some questions may include: What training have you undergone to become a culturally competent therapist? What does cultural competence mean to you? How do you support clients in overcoming racial or cultural biases? How do you create space for clients to share their racial and cultural identities? Feel free to add some of your own! Also, it’s perfectly fine to communicate to the therapist what you’re looking for. If they feel they cannot meet your expectations, they may refer you to another therapist who specializes in culturally competent therapy. Additionally, you may want to inquire about the therapist’s cultural background. Many therapists undergo training to limit self-disclosure in therapy. However, if sharing this information can be beneficial for you, it may be worth asking.

Company Research

Doing some research on therapy companies you’re interested in collaborating with may be helpful. Many therapy companies are rooted in social justice missions or have connections to social justice missions. Check if the company has any connection to causes prominent in your life, such as racial equity, reproductive justice, or LGBT+ rights. This could be a valuable way to assess if therapists’ values align with your own.

Key Points

Therapy that is culturally competent allows clients to feel confident in disclosing various aspects of their identity.

Culturally competent therapists provide space for clients to discuss their identities and how they intersect with clients’ perceptions of themselves and the world.

Clients should feel free to ask their therapists what cultural competence means to them, helping to establish the foundation of the therapeutic relationship.