Culturally Sensitive Therapy emphasizes people’s various ethnic and cultural backgrounds within the therapeutic relationship.
Some approaches to therapy aim to treat every client the same — utilizing similar techniques, ways of communicating, and explanations of concepts. These therapists understand the importance of different cultures and recognize that these differences can impact the way someone experiences therapy. By bringing these experiences to the forefront of therapy, your therapist will validate your unique background and use it to work on your strengths and propel you toward your goals.
Your therapist will have foundational knowledge about your specific ethnic, cultural, and linguistic differences. They also will continue learning more about how your culture affects your life experiences.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy’s goal is to make you feel more comfortable and understood, not only when it comes to culture and ethnicity, but also religion, race, age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, and beliefs.
Your therapist will employ counseling techniques to help you on your healing journey. They also will serve as an advocate for your particular identities in the community by connecting you to culturally-sensitive resources. Ultimately, the therapy should make you feel comfortable and understood. When the therapeutic space is safer, you will be more likely to benefit from the process.
Therapists Who Specialize in Using Culturally Sensitive Therapy
We all have moments in our life where we need support and encouragement. My primary focus is to provide clients with a safe and trusting environment with a compassionate treatment model. As we work together, we will build a therapeutic approach that feels comfortable and meaningful to you. My areas of expertise begin with using a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach, Psychoanalytic and...
I have many years of experience working with at-risk children and families. I am a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) that provides play therapy counseling for children with attachment-related symptoms, highly challenging behaviors, and other issues. I specialize in working with children who have learning disabilities, developmental delays, behavioral and emotional problems, including school...
I don't feel like myself. I don’t want to get out of bed or do anything. My teen doesn’t come out of his/her room. My teenager doesn’t seem like him/herself. Any of these sound like you or a loved one? What about, I/(insert loved one) keeps getting worked up over the smallest things or seems to be struggling? Whether you or your loved one know the agenda you want to work on or just need a place...
My practice focuses on the treatment of mental health issues as they relate to teens, adults, older adults, and LGBTQ+. A guiding principle that informs my therapeutic approach is a Strengths Perspective. I believe we are each looking for meaning and purpose in life. Life can bring challenges and circumstances that leave us feeling alone, scared, lost, or hopeless. It is my belief that each...
For many people, faith is an integral part of their sense of wholeness. For clients who feel that way, I integrate faith into the experience of psychotherapy. Frequent issues that clients bring into counseling include relationships, depression, anxiety, life transitions, illness, and grief. But regardless the struggle, the integration of scientifically evidence-based practices alongside faith...
Parenting and family life can often be more challenging than we envisioned. I help families navigate social-emotional difficulties, behavioral struggles and life stressors. I am able to connect well with both children and parents and to create a sense of comfort and safety. I use both play-based and talk-based interventions depending on the developmental level of the child. I help parents bette...
Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, infidelity in your relationship, communication problems, or life transitions, I will support you in your journey toward personal growth. I honor the important relationship between client and therapist, and recognize the privilege of being invited into your story. With a curious and non-judgmental stance, I welcome clients from all backgrounds...
As a body-inclusive psychotherapist, I believe that we have within us everything we need to heal and grow, and that safe, supportive, and collaborative relationships help us to tap into our innate systems of healing. My approach is compassionate and person-centered, as I support people in developing their capacity to better navigate difficult life experiences. Whether focusing on overall emotio...
I am passionate about personal growth & connecting deeply with my clients. I have a virtual practice and see clients face to face via ZOOM a HIPAA compliant platform. I love that virtual therapy gives both myself & my clients the opportunity to stay connected even while living active & busy lives. Support is a necessity in life & I have found that working virtually has been the best option for ...
The people who come to me are curious to get to know themselves in a deeper away. I work with people to help them heal from trauma, interrupt unhelpful patterns, set healthier boundaries in relationships, dismantle crippling perfectionism, bolster their sense of self, increase self-esteem, mindfully manage anxiety, and live a more authentic existence. Together, we can work toward both short-ter...
I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor native to Northern Virginia and for 21 years I’ve had the honor and privilege of the opportunity to use my training, skills and experience to try to make a positive difference in the lives of many people, from young children to adults and from many different walks of life. By meeting people where they are, and not where they are expected to be, I empower my...
As a highly energetic individual who has extensive experience in establishing supportive, motivational and therapeutic relationships with clients, I offer my services as a therapist. With a great ability to ensure an environment of safety and security for clients with mental and substance problems. My therapeutic approach is a psycho-social intervention that aims to improve your mental health. ...
The philosopher Plato once wrote that "the unexamined life is not worth living." As a therapist, I am committed to helping my clients examine their lives to find meaning, happiness, and strength. I work with individuals, couples, and families, striving to build skills to resolve conflicts, increase confidence, and move beyond past hurt and trauma. My clients often say that they appreciate my...
My name is Shideh Sarmadi, I am a licensed professional counselor in State of Virginia. My goal is to empower clients to change their lives in a positive manner by focusing on recovery and welfare and promoting healthy personal growth. This typically is accomplished by improving the way you cope and interact with your environment. I have worked with a variety of issues including marital and fam...
The decision to enter treatment is a significant first step towards the healing process. The importance of building a therapeutic relationship with the adult, child, teen, and family is essential and reflects my therapeutic approach to relationship building. Whether through verbal and/or nonverbal forms of communication, I try to help individuals better understand their challenges and help find...
