What Is Culturally Responsible Therapy?

Cultural competence has become more than a hot topic over the last few years. In the mental health world, it’s been brought to light more than ever. Thankfully, more people are recognizing the importance of culturally responsible and responsive therapy. 

Culturally responsible therapy focuses on understanding how diverse populations can require different types of care. Therapists need to make room for every client’s individual background, history, and beliefs. 

It’s obvious that we all come from different backgrounds and our diversity makes a difference in our life experiences. Working with a therapist who can understand those experiences by being culturally responsible can make a difference in the quality of care you receive and how receptive you are to it. 

But, what does culturally responsible therapy really look like? 

Your Cultures Are Respected

When you’re working with a culturally responsible therapist, they will respect your background, beliefs, and culture. They will also work to gain specific knowledge of how your culture has impacted (or continues to impact) your life and even your mental health. 

A culturally responsible therapist knows there isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” process for their patients. So, they take the time to understand that different backgrounds and ethnicities should be considered before every conversation with a patient. 

In addition to respecting your culture, beliefs, race, background, and more, culturally responsible therapy means affirming and valuing your worth. That can often be a major hurdle if you’re not working with a culturally responsible therapist. It can feel like the person meant to understand and help doesn’t really grasp where you’re coming from. 

What Are the Benefits? 

The biggest benefit of culturally responsible therapy is its ability to help you face very specific issues. That's especially true for issues that might be related to your cultural identity or background. A therapist who understands your history and beliefs is more likely to help you connect the dots. 

For example, you might have different family issues as someone who grew up in a Muslim household than someone who grew up in a predominantly white household. A culturally responsible therapist will keep that in mind as they help you work through the specifics of how aspects of your cultural history could be impacting you today. 

What to Look For

If you’re tired of seeking mental health help from professionals who don’t seem to understand or value your background, consider looking for a culturally responsible therapist. 

Not sure where to start? 

Look for a therapist who is self-aware. They should know how their own identity might have an influence on their worldview. That includes any privileges and biases they might have grown up with that they’ve addressed and have worked through. 

You should also work with a therapist who is eager and curious. They should value other cultures and backgrounds and have a hunger to learn more so they can grow. They should recognize that every diverse patient they work with is an opportunity to let go of preconceived notions and biases. That helps them become understanding of every type of person they see. 

Culturally responsible therapists are comfortable admitting that they don’t know everything about every culture. They don’t need to be an expert in your background. What they do need is to show a willingness to learn and grow without letting preconceived notions get in the way. 

Your culture shouldn’t be a barrier to you getting the mental health help you deserve. Don’t let a fear of the unknown keep you from reaching out. If you’re interested in learning more about culturally responsible therapy, what to expect, or how it can benefit you, feel free to contact us for information or to set up an appointment for anxiety therapy.