3 Tips for Finding a Culturally Competent Therapist

Therapy should be a safe space where clients feel seen and heard. However, like so many fields, psychology has been slow to decolonize and, unfortunately, not all therapists are culturally competent. This can be, at the least, frustrating and, at the worst, traumatizing for BIPOC clients. Indeed, BIPOC clients are less likely to seek out treatment and more likely to drop out of treatment early as compared to white clients (Owen, Imel, Adelson & Rodolfa, 2012).

However, BIPOC clients deserve and can have rewarding and healing experiences in therapy. Here are a few tips to help prospective clients of color find culturally competent treatment.

1. Don’t be afraid to ask questions

Just because your therapist has a degree and is licensed, it doesn’t mean that you can’t ask them questions. This is especially true about any prospective therapist’s own views on white supremacy, race and racism (including the difference between overt racism and more covert racism, such as microaggressions), how they understand the role of oppression and systemic racism and inequality in conceptualizations of trauma and mental health, their approach to working with BIPOC clients, and the work that they themselves have done to educate themselves on privilege and race. Monnica T. Williams Ph.D., has put together a great list on her Psychology Today blog on 10 questions that all culturally competent therapists should be able to answer, which is a great place to start.

2. Give it a bit of time (if you can), but don’t be afraid to seek out a new therapist

Like many important relationships in life, the relationship between therapist and client needs to be a good fit. Indeed, research has shown that the therapeutic relationship is the greatest indicator of successful treatment outcome, regardless of the modality of treatment (Krupnick et al., 2006). This doesn’t mean that you will, or need to, feel comfortable from the first session, but rather, that ideally you will develop a good level of trust with your therapist over time. This takes work, and most therapists will encourage you to be open with them about how you feel in your sessions and about your relationship with them, which is not always easy to do. However, many BIPOC clients find themselves constantly having to educate their therapists on race and privilege, which is not only exhausting, but can also lead clients to feel unsafe in their own treatment. If you don’t feel heard or, more importantly, safe in your treatment, don’t be afraid to seek out a different therapist. The fit is important, and you deserve good treatment. (Note, it’s important to distinguish between feeling safe and feeling comfortable. As a great supervisor once told me, therapy is supposed to be safe, but not necessarily comfortable—looking at oneself is difficult work).

Over on Twitter, Dr. Kameelah Rashad has a great thread on “fit” for BIPOC clients, which I wholeheartedly second.

3. Don’t assume that your therapist will be culturally competent or understand you just because they share identities with you

It can be tempting to assume that a therapist with the same identities as you will totally “get” your experience and be able to provide culturally sensitive treatment. However, this isn’t necessarily true and, of course, every individual has a different relationship with race, ethnicity, and identity. Your therapist, regardless of their identities, should make an effort to understand your specific lived experience and to treat you with respect and empathy.

These are just a few tips I have put together, but please feel free to let me know if I’ve missed anything in the comments, particularly from your own experience at finding a culturally competent therapist with whom you have a good working relationship.

To find a therapist, please visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.