What is culturally sensitive therapy?

• Posted on Sep 2, 2020

Culturally sensitive therapy is therapy in which the therapist respects and honors the client’s values, experiences, and belief systems without assigning more value to that of dominant culture. Space is made to recognize, grieve, and process experiences of oppression, discrimination, and suffering from being a person of color. Culturally sensitive therapists believe that it is more effective to diversify the therapeutic approach from person-to-person, depending on a client’s background, than to simply use the same cookie cutter treatment approach for everyone. The therapist does not take on a colorblind perspective, but instead, acknowledges and celebrates the unique qualities of your cultural background that make up who you are. The expectation and ultimate goals for both the therapist and the client are significant progress in reaching the client’s goals despite cross-cultural boundaries and differences. Meeting with a therapist who is culturally competent can make all the difference in feeling seen and understood.