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
Are you struggling with feeling completely overwhelmed with trying to manage it all? Do you hide your feelings just to make it through the day? Are you worried about your relationships and your future? Many clients I work with in therapy come in knowing these feelings and situations all too well yet they are not sure how make it better. Others may come in due to a new stressor, traumatic event,...
Each of us face difficulties we are not prepared for, creating chronic stress and anxiety that wears us down. We feel the impact in our bodies. We have difficulty focusing our mind. These are symptoms that I am trained to heal. My expertise in somatic therapy and down to earth approach will bring relief from the emotional pain, physical effects and scars of trauma. Our work together makes it...
If you find yourself up at night worrying about your future, regretting your past, or having trouble controlling your thoughts and emotions, I get it. It is not uncommon for individuals who are experiencing major life changes to feel uncertain about the future, or have anxiety about all of the anxiety they are experiencing, which ends up creating even more anxiety!!! Maybe you are struggling at...
LGBTQIA+ affirming and culturally responsive counselor that provides a safe space to explore personal goals. I believe that we are made of many parts and that our overall wellness cannot exist without mental clarity. I value therapy for my own personal self, and as a result, I value and cherish the opportunity to be a part of someone else's therapy journey. Everyone is different so I approach...
Patricia Surprenant is a licensed independent clinical social worker with a private practice in Portsmouth, RI. With over 25 years in the field, her experience ranges in the treatment of individuals, couples, and families from children to the elderly. Additionally, she welcomes military families and children. She has been a member of association for Play Therapy and has been a Play Therapist si...
March 2020: In response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic and resulting quarantine precautions, I can offer you a safe HIPAA compliant platform from which you will be seen, heard and supported. During this unique moment, we are all being called upon to practice cultivating resilience. We are all learning to tolerate uncertainty. And we are having to adapt, day-by-day, while we try to protect...
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a Registered and Board Certified Art Therapist with over 20 years experience. By integrating traditional talk therapy with art psychotherapy, I offer a unique treatment approach for adults, children, adolescents, and families. I have extensive experience working with trauma, abuse, sexual assault, depression, anxiety, grief/loss, divorce and...
It can be a hard decision to begin counseling, and it often takes a lot of courage to seek help. Feeling depressed, anxious or frightened is not a good way to go through life, so perhaps it is time to make some changes. My focus is on assisting adults in finding solutions to life's challenges through the use of various therapy techniques. In addition to experience working with adults who suffer...
My qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology, and a credential as a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC). I have over 20 years experience working in the substance abuse/addiction and mental health field. My therapeutic approach is integrative and individualized to meet the needs and goals of my clients. I believe that in...
The hope and goal I have for my clients is to assist them in enhancing personal and familial relationships. As a social worker, I have had the wonderful opportunity to witness many positive changes in the lives of my clients. These positive changes include how my clients have relationships with others and how they come to view themselves. These components are an integral part of the therapeutic...
When adolescents and young adults feel overwhelmed, they FEEL it. There are so many factors; high achievers, medical issues (especially the "invisible" kind), life changes, puberty, and the rapidly shifting world around us can play a part in the exhausting feelings many people live with. These things can have a direct effect on your physical health, too! The brain and the body are connected, an...
I have worked in many environments including community mental health centers, home based environments, public schools, and private practice. These experiences have allowed me to empathize with both children and adults facing varying struggles including poor social skills, traumatic events including sexual abuse, depression, anxiety, socioeconomic concerns, symptoms related to ADHD, as well as...
Life is full of ups and downs - the first step in getting help is reaching out and I like to work with those who are open and willing to make the necessary changes for optimal happiness. I have experience with many different kinds of people struggling with their mental health issues - in particular those with addiction issues, mood disorders (including perinatal), psychotic disorders, and more....
Things are rarely as bad as they seem when you're anxious, depressed, or when you find yourself in adverse circumstances. Often, a change of perspective can dramatically improve your outlook, increase motivation, curb excessive guilt and build healthy self-regard. By examining negative feelings, behaviors and habits of thought, you can develop insights that bring relief and improve all aspects ...
Life can be tough sometimes, and it's important to adapt and overcome in these moments. Whether it's a stressful new development in your life or an ongoing problem that just won't go away, it is always worth taking the time to try and make things better. As a clinical therapist, my goal is to help people work towards finding peace, happiness, and success in all their ventures in life. Often tim...
