How a Culturally Competent Therapist Can Improve Your Mental Health

Australia is culturally diverse. Research from 2021 shows that more than half of Australians have a parent born overseas.  

But how does this data connect with mental health?  

Migrating or moving to a different cultural space is often overwhelming. Your experiences as a migrant may completely differ from someone else’s. In fact, even growing up in different families in the same country may impact each individual differently.  

Regardless of your ethnic background, you may want to talk to a therapist who truly understands you – including your beliefs, values, lifestyle, and, of course, your cultural roots.  

To cater to these differences that we may all have, therapists in Australia actively seek to increase their cultural competency through training and self-reflection. 

In this article, let’s explore the benefits of a culturally sensitive therapist and learn some simple steps for finding one. 

What Is Cultural Competence in Therapy?

Culturally competent therapy is a psychotherapeutic approach that focuses on: 

• Understanding a client’s cultural background and belief system
• Understanding how a client’s lifestyle relates to their ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, and gender 

Australian counsellors who are competent in this area have a nuanced understanding of complex issues like oppression and microaggressions (ie subtle intentional or unintentional prejudice against a person or community). 

Mental health therapists are also trained to observe when a client is truly authentic.  

For example, some people may subconsciously alter their accents to fit into a specific cultural space. Most times, this subtle change occurs due to deep-rooted experiences like discrimination.  

Cultural competency involves more than just race. A therapist must also address aspects such as: 

• Age
• Disabilities
• Indigenous heritage
• Ethnicity
• Language-related barries
• Socioeconomic status
• Religious & spiritual beliefs
• Neurodiversity
• Regional & community rituals 

How a Therapist’s Cultural Sensitivity Impacts Their Approach

Think about this: Would a teenager prefer to talk to a therapist who dismisses their problems as not being ‘adult’ enough? They likely wouldn’t.  

While therapists may have foundational training that should prevent them from dismissing any issues, sometimes, the therapist-client fit may just not be right. For this reason, a client may not feel validated.  

Firstly, being culturally sensitive strongly impacts how long a client may stay in therapy and the depth of benefits they gain from it. 

Secondly, a therapist who understands a client’s cultural background develops a solid therapeutic alliance. This alliance has a direct link to experiencing positive therapy outcomes.  

Lastly, a culturally competent therapist can develop approaches that best fit a client’s specific cultural needs. Hence, it's important to know everything about a therapist before getting started. 

Benefits of Cultural Competence in Therapy

Cultural competence in therapy strongly emphasises helping an individual improve their strengths, skills, and capabilities within a specific context.  

Culturally focused therapy may also help clients: 

• Handle challenges by allowing them to rely on their personal values
• Increase their sense of empowerment
• Gain control over various aspects of their lives 

Rather than address mental health issues from a general perspective, therapists provide a holistic approach. This involves the integration of a person’s: 

• Skills
• Weaknesses
• Strengths
• Vulnerabilities 

Therapists in Australia also recognise that everybody is unique and that two clients from the same cultural background may still have different values and preferences. 

Hence, the professional may ask specific questions to determine which modalities suit a particular client. 

What to Expect From a Culturally Competent Therapist?

A culturally competent therapist is an expert in providing the most inclusive and sensitive care.  

A therapist and client may not necessarily have the same background. What’s more important is that the therapist is aware of these cultural differences and considers the client’s unique experiences during therapy.  

However, a culturally competent therapist may also be skilled at recognising when they are not the right fit for their client. In these cases, the therapist must direct the client to another professional who may better be able to provide the appropriate support.  

Sometimes, the client’s cultural background may also affect their choice of therapy.  

For example, someone from a collectivist culture (ie one that focuses on community) may prefer to explore cultural stories and shared experiences, for which narrative therapy might be the best fit.  

In contrast, someone from an individualist culture may prefer cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).  

What you can expect from a culturally competent therapist is that they consider all the above factors and tailor their approach based on your preferences.  

Finding a Therapist for You

It’s important to find a therapist in Australia who understands you as an individual and as a member of your culture.  

If you are looking to talk to a good therapist, you need to ask yourself this question: 

How do I find the right therapist?  

The fit with your mental health therapist is so important.  

To explore the answer to your question, identify if the therapist is curious to learn about your cultural experiences. Are they willing to discuss your cultural needs?  

But what exactly is culture? It is different for everybody. For example, if you are an Australian expat and you’re working with a therapist with no exposure to that culture, it might be challenging to explain yourself.  

Hence, before you do anything else, try to identify your most important cultural identities and experiences.  

What identities do you want to explore deeper in therapy? Once you figure this out, ask your therapist if they can work on this with you.  

In the section below, let’s look into some other practical things you can do to find a culturally competent therapist.  

1. Doing Research

Your first step should be to do secondary research. Ask family, friends, or acquaintances for recommendations on therapists.  

If you already know how to find a professional, research online to find someone who meets your needs.  

Contact us at [email protected] with any information you find important to share, and we will be happy to help with TYHO Therapist recommendations.  

2. Asking Questions

Sometimes, even after finding a mental health therapist, you may have to ask them several questions to gauge the fit and check your comfort level. 

Below are some questions to ask: 

• Are you familiar with my culture, beliefs, and values?
• Do you have experience working with people who have cultural backgrounds similar to mine?
• Have you had cultural competence training?
• Do you plan to focus on cultural aspects in therapy sessions?  

3. Being Proactive

In therapy, being proactive means putting yourself out there – yes, while being fully transparent and authentic.  

We know it’s hard. However, we also know that being transparent in therapy is worth it. 

During the initial few sessions, try to share as much information as possible about your: 

• Cultural background
• Cultural experiences
• Views and beliefs on various aspects, including mental health
• Family dynamics
• Upbringing
• Personal values and goals in the specific context of culture 

Tip: It is helpful to journal your thoughts well in advance. Sometimes, it’s normal to forget important details when you first meet with a therapist.