What Are Culturally Conscious Mental Health Services?

Culturally competent mental health services signify more than just having a working knowledge of the interaction of different cultures and psychology. It means that if you have to bring your kids to our session because there is no childcare, I'm ready with activities for them to do. It means that if political issues and racial oppression are affecting your mental health negatively, then that becomes incorporated into our collaborative treatment plan. It means that if going to therapy is taboo or considered "weak" in your community, I help you come up with a good cover story each week. If you preparing to come out of the closet to an Evangelical Christian family in a family therapy session, I'm prepared with Bible verses applicable to your treatment goals and relationship goals. It means that if a member of an interracial/intercultural couple is misinterpreting the other's behavior, there might be a "cultural miss" occurring...Culturally competent mental health services are comprehensive, customized, and address the pressures and values of our many diverse identities.


Grace Pacheco, M.A., MFT