Cultural competency for mental health practitioners: a selective narrative review

Abstract

Cultural competency in the context of health services pertains to the appropriate provision of care to a diverse population. It is broadly recognised that this requires sensitivity at policy-making, organisational and individual levels. One specific focus in the literature has been the aptitudes required of practitioners to carry out psychological interventions with minority ethnic groups. A range of theoretical and practical perspectives have emerged on what such aptitudes should be and how to attain them. However, lack of clarity over definitions has resulted in a differential focus on sub-components of the cultural competency construct, namely awareness, knowledge and skills. The current review aimed to consolidate material dispersed across the literature, to create a narrative representation of what cultural competence means to the clinical practice of individuals delivering psychotherapeutic interventions. Limitations and implications of the cultural competency approach are discussed.

Keywords:

• cultural competence
• multi-cultural therapy
• cross-cultural counselling
• cross-cultural therapy
• ethnic minority counselling