Cultural Competency
Cultural Competency
A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR M E N TA L H E A LT H S E RV I C E P R O V I D E R S
By Delia Saldaña, Ph.D.
Hogg Foundation for Mental Health
Cultural Competency
A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR M E N TA L H E A LT H S E RV I C E PROVIDERS
© 2001
Hogg Foundation for Mental Health The University of Texas at Austin
About the Author
Delia Saldaña, Ph.D., is a clinical associate professor at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and past director of Health Services Research at the San Antonio State Hospital. Saldaña received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles in 1988, and her M.S. in clinical psychology at Trinity University in San Antonio in 1980.
Acknowledgements
The author would like to offer a special acknowledgement to Rick Ybarra, director of the Office of Multicultural Services at the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, for his contribution of materials and resources, as well as for his review of and comments on this publication.
Table of Contents
What is Cultural Competency? Definitions of competency Need for cultural competency Essential Knowledge, Skills and Attributes to Developing Cultural Competence Communication is Key Building Counselor/Client Rapport Failures in Cross-Cultural Therapeutic Process Engagement Therapeutic Alliance Outcome Is Your Message Getting Through? Conducting Culturally Sensitive Assessments Suggested Tests for Culturally Diverse Groups Evaluation of Culturally Related Syndromes Translator and Interpreter Challenges in Cross-Cultural Treatment Addressing Cultural Variability Building Bridges with Families What About Confidentiality? Conducting Effective Outreach References 3
4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 18
What is Cultural Competency?
Cultural Competency can be defined as:
• A set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system, agency, or among professionals that
A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR M E N TA L H E A LT H S E RV I C E P R O V I D E R S
By Delia Saldaña, Ph.D.
Hogg Foundation for Mental Health
Cultural Competency
A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR M E N TA L H E A LT H S E RV I C E PROVIDERS
© 2001
Hogg Foundation for Mental Health The University of Texas at Austin
About the Author
Delia Saldaña, Ph.D., is a clinical associate professor at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and past director of Health Services Research at the San Antonio State Hospital. Saldaña received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles in 1988, and her M.S. in clinical psychology at Trinity University in San Antonio in 1980.
Acknowledgements
The author would like to offer a special acknowledgement to Rick Ybarra, director of the Office of Multicultural Services at the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, for his contribution of materials and resources, as well as for his review of and comments on this publication.
Table of Contents
What is Cultural Competency? Definitions of competency Need for cultural competency Essential Knowledge, Skills and Attributes to Developing Cultural Competence Communication is Key Building Counselor/Client Rapport Failures in Cross-Cultural Therapeutic Process Engagement Therapeutic Alliance Outcome Is Your Message Getting Through? Conducting Culturally Sensitive Assessments Suggested Tests for Culturally Diverse Groups Evaluation of Culturally Related Syndromes Translator and Interpreter Challenges in Cross-Cultural Treatment Addressing Cultural Variability Building Bridges with Families What About Confidentiality? Conducting Effective Outreach References 3
4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 18
What is Cultural Competency?
Cultural Competency can be defined as:
• A set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system, agency, or among professionals that
References: Goodenough, F. Draw-A-Person Test. Skillman, G., Dabbs, P., Mitchell, M., McGrath, M., Lewis, J., & Brems, C. (1992). Appropriateness of the draw-aperson test with Alaskan native populations. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 48, 561-564. Leiter International Performance Scale Western Psychological Services, 12031 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025-1251 Tell Me a Story Test (TEMAS) Western Psychological Services, 12031 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025-1251