Verywell / Madelyn Goodnight
Finding a therapist who understands you is important.
And a big part of feeling understood means finding someone familiar with your culture.
Fortunately, there are some steps you’ve got the option to take tofind a culturally sensitive therapist.
Verywell / Madelyn Goodnight
But first, its important to understand why doing so is worth the effort.
A Healthy Therapeutic Alliance
Its important for a therapist and a client to have atherapeutic alliance.
Research shows that a healthy therapeutic alliance is the most important factor in determining how effective treatment is.
Studies show the therapeutic relationship matters more than the bang out of treatment that is used.
A culturally sensitive therapist should be confident in their knowledge and skills.
Their clients should also be confident that the therapist is able to address topics likewhite privilegeor oppression.
Cultural sensitivity isnt just about race.
Treatment should be tailored to a clients specific culture and other needs.
Treatment goals and strategies are likely to be quite different based on the persons culture.
For example, most therapists in the West emphasize a collaborative therapeutic relationship.
This collaborative approach may be confusing or off-putting to clients from certain cultural backgrounds, however.
Individuals from Eastern cultures may expect the therapist to be the expert.
They may want the therapist to be more direct and authoritarian when it comes to offering feedback and advice.
They may not appreciate open-ended questions as they may doubt the therapists competence level.
Another example is the use ofcognitive-behavioral therapy.
It typically involves direct questions like, What were you thinking when your friend turned you down?
Some Native Americans or older European Americans may find those types of questions to be disrespectful.
A survey of 689 APA-licensed psychologists found that therapists addressed cross-ethnic/racial issues with fewer than half of their clients.
Therapists receive different training depending on where they went to college or what throw in of degree they have.
There isnt a cultural competence test either.
Additionally, most licensing boards dont mandate that therapists attend ongoing training in diversity.
Instead, look for someone who makes it a priority to be culturally sensitive.
Shop Around
There are many ways to find a therapist.
If you chooseonline therapy, you could usually request to work with someone who understands your culture.
Ask Questions
When you find a therapist you may want to work with, ask questions.
Ask them how familiar they are with your culture or background.
Ask them about their training and education in working with diverse populations.
Express your concerns and ask for a referral to someone who you might work with better.
Most therapists will be happy to help you find someone who is better suited to treating you.
Thats why its important to find a culturally sensitive therapist who understands your needs.
Finding the right therapist for you will take some extra effort.
But, its likely worth the work.
When you find someone who understands you, youll be much more likely to make progress in treatment.
1985;55(4):561-569.
