Cultural competency for mental health practitioners: a selective narrative review |
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Authors: | Suki Bassey |
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Affiliation: | Department of Clinical Psychology, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust , Adult Mental Health , Leicester , UK |
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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. |
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Keywords: | cultural competence multi-cultural therapy cross-cultural counselling cross-cultural therapy ethnic minority counselling |
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