Culturally Competent Mental Health Care is Vital

Finding a therapist you connect with is tough; if you’re looking for a Black mental health provider, it can be even harder. Across the U.S., only 4.7% of psychologists and 4% of therapists are Black. 

While there are talented mental health providers of all races, many within the Black community prefer a Black mental health professional due to their cultural connection and understanding, often referred to as cultural competence. Aside from it being more likely for someone of the same color to empathize, having someone who understands your culture can make a world of difference. 

Tamara (Tami) Vang is a board member of Color Collective Kansas City, a group that connects BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) individuals seeking therapy with culturally competent mental healthcare providers. Their website — ColorCollectiveKC.org — allows you to search through a database of 100+ BIPOC providers in the KC Metro by insurance accepted, specialty, age, or a number of other factors.

Kansas City Black Mental Health Initiative (KCBMHI) board member Johnny Waller Jr. looks at it pragmatically. He says that time with a therapist is limited and that if you don’t have to explain your culture, you can spend more time working on the mental health issues you came there for. 

“Being able to talk to somebody who’s culturally aware is a lot better than trying to explain to your therapist why something is racist,” says Waller. “You’re sitting there trying to explain to somebody why some act was inherently racist, and next thing you know, ‘Oh, your hour is up.’” 

Cecil Wattree, founder and executive director of KCBMI, points to cultural misunderstandings that can lead to adverse outcomes. He notes how bipolar one disorder and schizophrenia are routinely overdiagnosed in the Black community due to the design and interpretation of tests that don’t take into account Black cultural differences. 

Vang says individuals getting these diagnoses are most likely dealing with a trauma disorder, but because of the structure of the screening tests, Black folks can often be misdiagnosed. 

“Culturally competent care is so important,” says Vang. “Small cultural differences can make a huge impact on treatment and understanding.”

Vang pointed to an instance where Child Protective Services (CPS) was called on a Black parent when they took their children to a doctor’s office. CPS was called because the parent was braiding the child’s hair. The child was crying from the braiding and noticeably uncomfortable. To the uninitiated, this looked like child abuse. 

“Someone who’s culturally competent will understand that their child is not being harmed by their hair being done,” says Vang. “They are actually being well taken care of in that moment.”

How to Find the Right Therapist

Cultural competence is important in a therapist but there are other considerations as well. To get the most out of mental health services you need to be sure that the provider can suit your needs. 

“That journey of trying to find the right therapist that you can relate to and who you’re comfortable with is really important,” says Waller. “It’s a necessary step for you to move forward in your mental health journey.”

Be sure to check on costs, location for in-person meetings, if they are available virtually, and the provider’s specialties. It’s appropriate to ask your therapist questions beyond the logistics of fees and scheduling. Most therapists will offer a free or affordable consultation to see if you and the therapist are a match. 

Here are some interview questions to consider when you attend your first session, if not before:

Questions to ask a potential therapist: 

• Have you ever had a patient with my background?
• Are you knowledgeable about my culture and are you aware of any biases or misconceptions you may have about it that could affect my treatment from you?
• How have you handled clients who have had issues with racism, discrimination, homophobia, or religion?
• Are you uncomfortable speaking about matters concerning race, sexuality, identity, or suicide?
• Are you open to feedback?
• What type of treatment or therapy do you provide?
• What insurance do you accept? What are your payment plans?

No one therapist is perfect for everyone, and finding the right one is a personal choice.