What does culturally affirming therapy mean?
For those of us from marginalized communities, therapy can feel like just another space where we are misunderstood or othered. The reality is, modern talk therapy was not designed for us in mind. It was designed from a Eurocentric lens for the privileged few.
Today, there’s a huge push for culturally affirming therapy. But, what is it?
Culturally affirming therapy isn’t just about inclusion or accepting all people.
It’s a space where your therapist takes time to learn and actively consider your unique experiences in the work. Whether you’re talking about ethnic culture, your personal family culture, queer culture, etc., your identity is honoured.
So what does that actually look like in practice? Let’s break it down.
Therapist’s Self-Awareness
Your therapist should:
Reflects on their own cultural lens, privileges, and blind spots.
Doesn’t claim or act like they know everything.
Cultural humility: always learning and unlearning.
Using language that honours differences in emotional expression and emotion words. An example: not forcing you to say you’re proud of yourself when pride is seen as taboo in your culture.
Exploring Systems of Oppression
Your therapist should:
Explores how systems (racism, colonialization, ableism, etc.) impact mental health and trauma.
Navigates complex family, spiritual, or community expectations and values.
Honours the survival strategies that kept you alive, e.g., not shaming you for not standing up for yourself with your family.
Encourages you to care about yourself & set boundaries in a way that still recognizes the importance of your collective community.
Culture Is More Than A Checkbox
Your therapist shouldn’t view White as the default or “blank state”, like only asking about how your race shaped you when you’re BIPOC. Or assuming you’re heterosexual until you state overwise.
Some ways your therapist can keep including your cultural identities in therapy:
Learning important beliefs, words, or references, especially if there is no English equivalent.
Asking not assuming: e.g., “How are decisions made in your family?” vs. “Do your parents decide on a partner for you?”.
Welcoming your faith and spirituality, e.g., including a practice in session.