Cultural Barriers

Culture-Related Barriers

Culture-related barriers in psychotherapy stem from cultural differences between therapists (who are predominantly Caucasian in the United States) and their clients. Common differences arise in the areas of (1) the value of individualism versus collectivism; (2) verbal, emotional, and behavioral expressions; (3) preferred therapeutic approaches; and (4) views regarding the separation of the mind and body.

Individualism is associated with the Caucasian culture and collectivism with non-Caucasian cultures. [Page 128]The Caucasian culture tends to stress the importance of having a single identity that is not defined by anything or anyone else, whereas in non-Caucasian cultures, a person's identity is often defined by his or her family or cultural group. Consequently, a Caucasian therapist may misinterpret a client's need to consider family needs ahead of his or her own as unhealthy, overly dependent, and lacking maturity.

Tied to views regarding individualism and collectivism are the verbal, emotional, and behavioral expressions of different cultures. In the Caucasian culture, for example, when some one engages in wrongful behavior, he or she often feels guilt, butinmanynon-Caucasiancultures, the person is more likely to feel shame. Guiltisseen as an individual emotion and shame as a group emotion. Additionally, the importance of verbalizing emotions and emotional reactions is stressed in the Caucasian culture. Self-revelation requires the client to communicate his or her feelings about any topic the therapist probes, even if it involves the most intimate details of the client's life. If a client is not forthcoming, he or she may be viewed as paranoid, guarded, or inhibited. Non-Caucasian cultures are more likely to view such verbal expressionsasa sign of disrespect and immaturity and tend to value remaining quiet and listening. Furthermore, culture is reflected in behavioral expressions such as assertiveness, which is valued to a greater extent in the Caucasian culture than in many non-Caucasian cultures.

There are also cultural differences in preferred therapeutic approaches. Traditional psychotherapy theories are generally analytical, linear, and logical, with the primary goal of searching for a cause–effect relationship that is responsible for the individual's problem(s). This contrasts with the more holistic, creative, and nonlinear worldview of many cultures. Additionally, traditional psychotherapy relies on the scientific method and its method of asking and answering questions, including completing quantitative evaluations. Direct and sometimes confrontational techniques are evident in traditional psychotherapy, whereas some cultures (e.g., Asian) value indirectness and subtlety in communication. Many cultures prefer not to be so straightforward in questioning and responding, and this may lead the therapist to a negative interpretation of the client's behavior (e.g., the client is nonresponsive and withdrawn).

...