Richard Wenthen, LMSW shares why identities matter in and out of the therapy room.

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Why is cultural competence important as a mental health care provider?

One of the strongest indicators of a successful therapeutic experience is the quality of
the relationship between client and clinician. As mental healthcare providers, it is vital
that we demonstrate competence around the identities our clients hold—especially
when those identities are marginalized—crafting a comfortable and non-judgmental
atmosphere.

Having an understanding or shared experience of cultural identity can
greatly strengthen the therapeutic alliance, ultimately increasing the likelihood of
beneficial outcomes.

Why is cultural competence important to you personally?

As a person who is queer in sexuality and gender, along with a host of other things (as
many of us are), I know how important it is for all parts of myself to be understood. It is
meaningful when space is held for the inherent intersectionality of identity, especially
when society is designed to pare down these complicated aspects of ourselves—a drive
that is unfortunately often internalized.

For me, it is important that my cultural experiences be understood in their complexity, co-existence, and cohesion.

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