Responses Family Therapy Posts
Mindi,
Thank you for your thoughtful post on cultural competence in therapy. I thought the emphasis you put on respecting clients' cultural beliefs and adapting communication styles was particularly pertinent, especially for trying to create effective therapeutic relationships. I myself have found that through a basic of understanding social constructs, as you mentioned, we can add another layer of depth to the practice of relating to others and empathizing more fully. Social constructs are often responsible for how we see ourselves and how we see others. If we know them, it is easier to get a sense of how others see themselves and how they would like to be seen. Oftentimes people will not say, This is how I see myself, or, This is how I want to be seen, so it is up to the therapist to figure that out based on cues and constructs. That is why they can be so helpful.
At the same time, I would say to be on guard against any potential biases. Biases can arise from ones own culture and we need to be aware of that. We dont want to misinterpret something because of personal biases that we arent being mindful of in that particular moment of professional service.
Also, important I would add is the need to see how race, gender, social class, and other constructs shape identities and interactions. When that is understood, therapists can appreciate their clients' experiences better. Awareness of this sort boosts empathy to the point that therapists can create culturally sensitive interventions. Your point on the role of language and storytelling in shaping cultural perceptions is also well-taken. Communication should be customized to meet the cultural narratives that matter (Hanson et al., 2013).
References
Hanson, M. J., Lynch, E. W., & Poulsen, M. K. (2013). Understanding families: Supportive
Approaches to Diversity, Disability, and Risk. Brookes Publishing Company.
