Does my therapist need to be of the same race as me?

How can cultural competence be applied practically?

Although having a mental health professional with the same background can provide “inherent understanding and comfort” for some clients, it is not always necessary or practical, Azhar said.

She says the most important things to consider when choosing a mental health professional are the following factors, namely your therapist:

– “Understands and respects cultural differences,

– Willing to learn about the client’s cultural context,

— Skilled in adapting therapeutic approaches to meet cultural needs,

— Has the ability to create a culturally safe environment,

– Knows when to seek counseling or cultural supervision.