Treatment Centers for More Cultural Understanding STRIVE
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CULTURAL COMPETENCY IS The capacity for people to increase their knowledge and understanding of cultural differences, the ability to acknowledge cultural assumptions and biases (and) the willingness to make changes in thought and behavior
“ SAMHSA researchers note that it’s not enough to try to understand other cultures. True cultural competency comes from understanding one’s own culture in relation to other cultures. A 2014 SAMHSA study lists the following axioms for the culturally competent counselor:
to address those biases. -U.S. Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
Frame issues in culturally relevant ways Allow for complexity of issues based on cultural context Make allowances for variations in the use of personal space Be respectful of culturally speci c meanings of touch (e.g., hugging) Explore culturally based experiences of power and powerlessness Adjust communication styles to the client’s culture Interpret emotional expressions in light of the client’s culture Expand roles and practices as needed
TRAITS OF CULTURAL COMPETENCY SAMHSA researchers lay out the tenets of a culturally competent treatment staff: Staff knowledge of or sensitivity to the rst language of clients Staff understanding of the cultural nuances of the client population Staff backgrounds similar to those of the client population
Treatment methods that re ect the culture- speci c values and treatment needs of clients Inclusion of the client population in program
As addiction treatment centers develop new modalities for effective treatment and the U.S. population grows ever more diverse, the need for cultural competency in the industry will only increase.
policy-making and decision-making An understanding of race, ethnicity and culture
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