5 Benefits of Culturally Responsive Therapy

Whether we realise it or not, our behaviour and personal values are deeply intertwined in the culture we were raised in. Given how culture can shape our perspectives, people from different cultures can approach situations, relationships, and problems in different ways. From a psychological point of view, cultural nuances and values have a significant impact on the effectiveness of mental health treatment.

For many, seeing a psychologist who is familiar and has personal experience in the same cultural background as you can make a huge difference in feeling understood and getting the right mental health treatment. This is known as culturally responsive therapy, which takes into account cultural factors when assessing your mental health or applying treatment.

What is Culturally Responsive Therapy?

Culturally responsive therapy is an approach to mental health support that recognises and considers the influence that a person’s cultural background has on values, emotions, and overall mental health.

A therapist who practices culturally responsive therapy is able to identify triggers or stressors related to cultural issues. For example, filial piety (a commitment to caring for one’s elders) in Chinese culture can contribute to feelings of anxiety that a person feels in situations involving their parents.

A therapist who shares the same cultural background as you will be equipped to deliver culturally responsive therapy, using their own understanding of the cultural context surrounding different mental health needs.

What Are the Benefits of Culturally Responsive Therapy?

1. Breaking Down Cultural Stigmas

In some cultures, discussing or openly seeking support for one’s mental health needs is taboo. A study comparing two surveys conducted in Australia and Japan found that Japanese interviewees were more likely to think that a person’s genuine need for mental health was a personal weakness, and that the person could “snap out of it”.

Stigmatising attitudes can make it more difficult for someone to open up about their issues during treatment due to the fear of being judged. Naturally, this can become a barrier to receiving mental health support.

Culturally responsive therapists understand the weight of cultural stigmas around mental health – some therapists may even have personally experienced such stigmas. Finding a psychologist who understands your cultural background makes it easier to open up, rather than feeling stuck in unhealthy thinking patterns.

2. Clearer Understanding of Mental Health Needs

It can feel extremely frustrating when your therapist does not fully understand your situation. Differences in cultural background between you and your therapist can cause a gap in understanding and lead to miscommunication. Cultural nuance and values are often unspoken, which can make it difficult for you to verbalise when trying to explain your situation.

A culturally responsive therapist can pick up on subtle cultural factors that may contribute to feelings of stress, anxiety, or discomfort.

3. Acknowledging Racism and Discrimination

Racial discrimination is widely documented to have detrimental effects on a person’s mental health. Culturally responsive therapy involves acknowledging the impact of racism on your life and mental health to create a safe space to heal from these experiences.

A 2014 study published in the Journal of community psychology found that people from a racial minority have a strong preference towards a therapist who is knowledgeable about their racial group’s history of prejudice and discrimination.

4. Culturally Sensitive Support

Treatments like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and emotionally focused therapy (EFT) are proven to be effective on a general level. Culturally responsive therapy is about applying different types of therapies with a sensitive and tailored approach.

For someone from a culture with a strong emphasis on family bonds, CBT strategies provided for coping with a toxic relationship need to be adjusted to avoid crossing any cultural boundaries that can end up doing more harm than good. This is why culturally responsive therapy is so important.

5. Overcoming Language Barriers

Differences in cultural understanding also extend to language. Some cultural concepts are not fully explained when translated from a person’s native language, meaning that therapists end up with an incomplete picture. Culturally responsive therapy is best delivered by psychologists and counsellors who can converse in the same native language as the person seeking support, such as Spanish speaking psychologists and Hindi speaking psychologists.

By removing these language barriers, culturally responsive therapists can make more accurate diagnoses through clear communication, which ultimately leads to effective mental health support.