Benefits of Working with a Culturally Sensitive Therapist

When you first start looking for a therapist, you might find yourself looking for a therapist who shares some of your characteristics. Here at Yellow Chair Collective, many of our clients come to us for a therapist of the same ethnic background, in hopes of finding understanding. While we do our best, we’re not always able to offer an exact match, and sometimes, it’s not even possible. But more than trying to be of the same background, we try to be culturally sensitive.

What is Cultural Sensitivity?

Cultural sensitivity is an approach in therapy that emphasizes the importance of learning and understanding the client’s cultural background. We often think about culture as race and ethnicity. Culture can also encompass other elements that make up our identity. It can also affect the way we perceive the world. For example, other elements include gender, sexuality, socioeconomic class, immigration status, generation, etc.

By taking the time to be curious about our own cultures as well as other cultures, our culturally sensitive therapists have developed a consideration for the ways that these different elements might influence one’s relationships and perspectives. This sensitivity allows your therapist to understand you and respond to you in a way that is affirming. Even when they are coming from different backgrounds.

A Culturally Sensitive Therapist Will Get It

A therapist who is of the exact same ethnic background might still have different experiences and perspectives. Being culturally sensitive means that they will keep an open mind and be curious about your viewpoint. They will not judge, assume, or try to change your beliefs about the world. This is what allows therapists of different backgrounds to see clients of different backgrounds. To help encourage clients to talk about concerns they might get to discuss.

While your therapist may not know every nuance or tradition of your culture, they will be dedicated to learning more about the unique ways that your individual culture impacts you. For example, you might have a different way of relating to your parents. Your therapist may not be able to imagine that for themselves, but they will want to learn more about what that’s like for you and your family and how that carries you through life. They won’t try to tell you that your family dynamic is wrong because it’s different.

They Will Consider Your Broader Environment

A culturally sensitive therapist will recognize that culture does not only mean the things that have already happened to you and affect you. They also recognize the things that are happening now and impacting you now. They will consider the way that your unique identity impacts the way that you exist in your broader environment. Culturally sensitive therapists will empower you to discuss the current socio-political events that affect you and the ways that these events intersect with your cultural background.

For example, over the course of the pandemic, we have seen and experienced a rise in racism and race-based hate crimes. A sensitive therapist will consider the impact of that rise on your mental health. As well as your daily life, your relationships with coworkers, and your sense of safety as you move through the world. For our Asian American clients, we see and understand how the rise in Asian hate has rocked our community. We want to process and explore that with you.

A Culturally Sensitive Therapist Will Tailor Their Approach

People come to therapy with different hopes, expectations, and goals. That means that people also come to therapy with different ways of engaging with their therapist and their therapy styles. A culturally sensitive therapist will consider your individual perspective. They will aim to make you comfortable enough to share your personal experiences. They might tailor the way they communicate their thoughts or suggestions, or they adjust the ways they refer to you and your family members.

For example, some clients prefer to maintain a professional tone with their therapist. Others may prefer a more casual or personable conversation. A sensitive therapist will also consider how they might tailor their approach to your specific goals and plans, given that each client faces unique challenges. Research shows that concerns like anxiety and depression can show up in different ways for people of different cultural backgrounds. Therapists understand this and they will be considerate of that in the ways they offer support.

A Culturally Sensitive Therapist Means Better Therapy

Here at Yellow Chair Collective, our diverse therapists offer individual, couple, and group support to help you explore the ways that your culture impacts your choices and relationships. We get it, and even if we don’t, we will do our best to understand. Start with one of our therapists by booking an appointment today!

1. Fill out our appointment request form
2. Start sessions with one of our culturally competent therapists
3. Explore your identity, reconnect with your roots, process wounds, and learn new skills that can help you be the better you

Other Services at Yellow Chair Collective

The therapists at our Los Angeles and New York City-based counseling centers are skilled in many areas. They work with couples, teens, and individuals. Further, they address issues like anxiety, postpartum therapy, trauma, and PTSD. Additionally, they provide highly sensitive people treatment, burnout treatment, EMDR, and culturally sensitive therapy. And all of these services can be utilized in-person or online anywhere in California or New York.