u003ch2u003eu003cstrongu003eSigns Your Therapist is Multi-Culturally Informed and Why It's Importantu003c/strongu003eu003c/h2u003enu003ch3u003eu003cbu003eCulturally Informed Therapyu003c/bu003eu003c/h3u003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eFor many, seeking therapy is a scary prospect. When you're struggling to be the best version of yourself, it can feel like sending your inner-most thoughts and feelings into a void. u003c/spanu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eWe know that building trust with your therapist is an integral part of reducing anxiety and shame, but what if you were nervous about disclosing your cultural background? u003c/spanu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eThis article will discuss why therapists must be culturally competent with their patients, the signs of a multi-culturally skilled therapist, and what to do if your therapist is not multi-culturally informed. u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e
u003ch3u003eu003cstrongu003eWhat is Cultural Competence? u003c/strongu003eu003c/h3u003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eCultural competence refers to understanding the standard practices and beliefs of people from different racial or ethnic groups. It is helpful for therapists to know their patients' worldview, life experiences, history, language, religion, and values. u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eCultural competence includes knowledge about customs, traditions, holidays, foods, religious practices, etc. It also extends to an understanding of how values and customs can differ between cultures and an understanding of what it means to be a minority individual in the greater US culture.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e
u003ch3u003eu003cstrongu003eWhy is Cultural Competence Important in Therapy? u003c/strongu003eu003c/h3u003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eAccording to the u003c/spanu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.apa.org/monitor/2015/03/cultural-competenceu0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eAmerican Psychological Associationu003c/spanu003eu003c/au003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e, research shows that people who are members of racial/ethnic groups who frequently experience discrimination are more likely than those who are not members of these groups to develop stress-related disorders. This is particularly true if they believe that discrimination is due to internal (personal) reasons (e.g., u0022I'm not good enoughu0022) rather than external (societal) reasons (e.g., u0022Society is unfairu0022).u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eMinority individuals often face unique stressors that can impact mental health. For example, stigmatized people may internalize stereotypes about their group(s), leading to shame and hurt. They're also at risk of experiencing prejudice, which can heighten their feelings of fear, anger, or anxiety.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e
u003ch3u003eu003cstrongu003eWhat are the Signs of Culturally Competent Therapy? u003c/strongu003eu003c/h3u003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eHere are some signs to look for—as suggested by the u003c/spanu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.apa.org/pi/oema/resources/policy/provider-guidelinesu0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eAmerican Psychological Associationu003c/spanu003eu003c/au003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e—that indicate your therapist is multi-culturally informed and competent: u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003culu003enu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cbu003eThey're aware of your cultural background.u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e This could be signaled by them asking you questions about your family and culture (e.g., how many grandparents do you remember? How important is religion/spirituality in your life?).u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003enu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cbu003eThey've read and understood relevant research.u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e This could be signaled by them referencing studies about minority groups and mental health (e.g., understanding the impact of internal biases and stereotypes vs. external realities on one's mental health). u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003enu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cbu003eThey're willing to seek professional development opportunities.u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e This could be signaled by their attendance at cultural competence trainings, as well as reading books/articles regarding cultural competence. Some states even require cultural competency continuing education (CE) training for therapy licensure.u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003enu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cbu003eThey engage in cultural humility practices.u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e This could be signaled by their self-awareness and acknowledgment of how their own implicit biases may be impacting their overall worldview, perception, and life experiences. u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003enu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cbu003eThey're comfortable with different ways of doing things.u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e This could be signaled by being authentically open, curious, and respectful of differing viewpoints due to multicultural differences. In addition, your therapist should respect your customs, traditions, and religion and refrain from overgeneralizing or stigmatizing cultural stereotypes. u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003enu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cbu003eThey're not afraid to ask you questions.u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e Instead of ignoring them, this could be signaled by them asking about your experiences with racism, discrimination, prejudice, etc.u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003enu003c/ulu003e
u003ch3u003eu003cbu003eWhat to Do If You Don't Feel Comfortable with Your Therapist's Cultural Competence?u003c/bu003eu003c/h3u003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eIf you don't feel comfortable with your therapist or feel they have crossed a boundary, it's essential to be intentional about how you handle this. Here are some suggestions:u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003culu003enu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cbu003eBe honest.u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e Finding the right therapist is a process that requires sharing some of your most intimate and vulnerable parts of yourself (e.g., your struggles with depression or anxiety, your trauma history). Your therapist needs to understand who you are and what makes you, well, YOU. Be honest with your therapist and utilize the session to be open and to express your concerns—perhaps this could be used as a time for reflection, growth, and healing. u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003enu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cbu003eFind a therapist that specializes in your culture. u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eThis might mean they're not able to see you as regularly or help you with everything you might want to discuss. However, your therapist needs to be able to understand and appreciate your unique background and experience. u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003enu003cli style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022 aria-level=u00221u0022u003eu003cbu003eConsider changing therapists.u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e If you feel like there is a disconnect between you and a therapist, don't be afraid to find a new one. Again, therapy requires trust and understanding, and if you don't feel like your therapist is receptive to your cultural needs, maybe it's time to find a new therapist. u003c/spanu003eu003c/liu003enu003c/ulu003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eAll in all, it's important to remember that the right fit for a therapist takes time and patience.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eBe intentional about what you're looking for in a therapist and how you'd like to be treated from the very beginning. Make sure that your therapist is culturally competent, but also make sure that you feel comfortable with them. u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eIf this isn't the case, then change must happen.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e
u003ch3u003eu003cbu003eReady to SeeK Multi-culturally Informed Therapy?u003c/bu003eu003c/h3u003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eAt u003c/spanu003eu003ca href=u0022https://washington-psychwellness.com/u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eWashington Psychological Wellnessu003c/spanu003eu003c/au003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e, our clinicians are proud to provide an inclusive, affirming, and multi-culturally informed psychotherapeutic environment. u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eOur therapists value honesty, authenticity, integrity, inclusivity, and equal respect for all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, class, caste, religion, belief, sex, gender, language, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex characteristics, age, health or another status. u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eWe further pride ourselves on delivering empirically validated psychotherapeutic treatment approaches exclusively tailored to each individual's unique circumstances and needs.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003ciu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eReady For Help?u003c/spanu003eu003c/iu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003ca href=u0022https://washington-psychwellness.com/contact/u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eContact us todayu003c/spanu003eu003c/au003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e for a complimentary 15-minute initial consultation to learn how multi-culturally informed therapy can help you or a loved one!u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e
u003cpu003eu003cbu003eRelated Contentu003c/bu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003ca href=u0022https://washington-psychwellness.com/therapy/the-role-of-multiculturalism-in-effective-psychotherapy/u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eThe Role of Multiculturalism in Effective Psychotherapyu003c/spanu003eu003c/au003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003ca href=u0022https://washington-psychwellness.com/therapy/challenges-to-mental-healthcare-access/u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eChallenges to Mental Healthcare Access u003c/spanu003eu003c/au003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003ca href=u0022https://washington-psychwellness.com/therapy/7-tips-for-opening-up-in-therapy/u0022u003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e7 Tips For Opening Up In Therapyu003c/spanu003eu003c/au003eu003c/pu003e