Abstract
Couple, marriage, and family therapists (CMFTs) are becoming more aware of clients’ diversity. Model-specific research highlights the need for more culturally competent models and techniques. Some researchers argue that less emphasis needs to focus on developing culturally competent models and more attention placed on developing culturally sensitive therapists. Basing the principles of our paper on Fife et al. (J Marital Fam Ther 40(1): 20–33, 2014) meta-model, which places a therapist’s way-of-being as the foundation of effective therapy, our paper aims to present a case for a therapist’s way-of-being as the heart of effectively working with minority populations and culturally diverse clients. Common factors and cultural humility research speak to the importance of therapist factors in effective therapy outcomes. We will illustrate our points by presenting several case examples which highlight the impact a therapist’s way-of-being has on work with minority populations. We will also outline clinical and training implications as we add to the therapist factors discussion regarding working with minority populations.
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Holyoak, D., Johnson, W., Garcia, M. et al. I See You: Addressing Diversity in Clinical Practice Through Therapist’s Way-of-Being. Contemp Fam Ther 42, 131–139 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-019-09519-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-019-09519-4