Cultural Competence In Clinical Psychology

Cultural competence in clinical psychology refers to the possession of skills, knowledge, and awareness necessary to undertake numerous psychosomatic tasks that identify the diverse practices and worldviews of oneself and clients from dissimilar cultural or ethical backgrounds (Bhugra, 2011). Cultural competence is aimed at the comprehension of self as a bearer of culture; the political, social and historical influences on health, particularly mental wellbeing and health whether regarding communities, organizations, peoples or individuals and the development of associations that engender respect and trust (Benbenishty & Biswas, 2015). Cultural competence in clinical psychology includes an informed positive reception of the cultural foundation
Culturally competent psychologists have to be aware of how their client’s and their own cultural heritage, class, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic-racial identity, practice orientation, organizational or institutional affiliation, age and disability-cohort help shape individual biases, judgments, assumptions and values associated with identified groups(Benbenishty & Biswas, 2015). They also have to possess knowledge of how psychosomatic professional practices, research paradigms, methods of inquiry and theory are culturally and historically embedded and how they have transformed through time as the values and political priorities of societies shift (Bhugra, 2011). Additionally, culturally competent counselors have to possess knowledge of the history and manifestation of discrimination, prejudice and oppression in home country, and that of the patient and their mental sequelae (Bhugra,
It also entails comprehension issues such as worldview, community orientation, interaction styles, help-seeking conduct, and normative values regarding sickness of the main categories that the psychologist is likely to meet professionally (Benbenishty & Biswas, 2015). In an effort to be culturally competent, psychologists should possess the knowledge of culture-particular practice tools and their pragmatic background or lack of it. They should also have a comprehension of family structures, educational systems, values, gender roles, worldviews, and beliefs and how they vary across recognized categories along with their impact on manifestations of psychological sickness, developmental outcomes, and identity formation (Benbenishty & Biswas, 2015). Moreover, cultural competence in clinical psychology entails the ability to correctly assess universal and culture specific hypotheses associated with clients from recognized categories and to create correct study findings and medical conceptualizations, including understanding of when issues engross cultural aspects and when theoretical course requires to be tailored for more efficient work with members of recognized categories (Benbenishty & Biswas, 2015). Additionally, cultural competence in clinical psychology entails the