Cultural Awareness

To say that I have worked with people from all walks of life is an understatement. But it’s true. And I continue to understand and experience that every single person I encounter in this work is unique. The notion of Cultural Awareness or Cultural Sensitivity is vast, but it is an immediate and conscious approach that I take with every client I meet.

Culture is a complex word with meaning that can depend on many different factors. The most common way people understand Culture is through the lens of ethnicity. It includes a range of identity markers, intergenerational heredity, social organisation, and lived experiences that makes up a person’s being…and it is very important.

When I meet someone as a Counsellor, I must remember that appearances only tell a very small part of the story, and I have an obligation and responsibility to make sure I remember that. I have a strong awareness that allows me to notice my first impression and my inherent and conditioned biases, and then put them to the side. I know from experience, that once a client starts telling me their story, once I start to get to know them, their identity is so much more than simply what they look like, how they speak, or their name.

Culture as defined by ethnicity is a huge part of our existence and it requires acknowledgement, contextualisation and respect. It is one of the most fascinating things about human beings, the tapestry of our lives and our connection to the planet and our ancestors; geographically, historically, genetically and spiritually. I not only find exploring this aspect of a client’s story interesting and informative, it is one of the best threads to follow that gives insight into a person’s lived experience; their privileges and adversities, and how they navigate their decision making and self-determination.

Culture and ethnicity can highlight how we have relationships, how we approach work and leisure, how we take care of our bodies and minds, how we make and run our homes, how we navigate emotions, what our values, beliefs and ideologies are, and how we contribute to humanity and the world through our lives.

Aside from ethnicity - where a client or their parents were born, what languages they speak, where they and their ancestors come from or what lands they are connected and belong to, what food they eat, how they raise their children, how they take care of themselves and their communities, how they heal…culture can also be a representation of other universally experienced identifiers.

We can refer to sub-cultural aspects of a person’s identity too, such as their socioeconomic background or status, their body and mind’s capacities and abilities, their sex, gender and sexual preferences, their age and generation, their political ideological stances and belief systems, and their education, craft, professional and employment status to name a few.

A person’s lived experience and their proximity to community and culture, even if it isn’t their own, can shape their identity too. For example, two people from the same ethnic group, living in different geographical locations (towns, states, even countries), can have some things in common, but also be quite diverse culturally. That is key to understanding individuals culturally without homogenising them. It is important not to reduce people to stereotypes based on culture. As a Counsellor, I can identify patterns, but also insist on a person centered approach, that encourages a client’s unique needs and experiences to be prioritised. Cultural sensitivity and insight is vital to acknowledge, but it must be defined by the client themselves.

As you can see, Culture is not just what colour your skin may be or what country you come from. It is that, but it is so much more. The things that bind people to community and belonging is hugely influential to people’s wellbeing, but so is their capacity to individuate and express their autonomy and self-determination, even when guided and strongly linked to a cultural collective.

Having a Culturally Aware and Sensitive practice means identifying all the parts that contribute to a person’s identity and honouring, exploring, valuing and witnessing each and every one. It should show a potential client the rich and unique tapestry of their personhood and how it drives and inspires their wellbeing.

I find that a Culturally centered approach to Counselling enriches the therapeutic alliance in a way that builds trust, resonance, communication and connection like nothing else. It can encompass so much and facilitates empathy and co-regulation, that enriches humility and transformation beautifully.

I hope this resonates with my clients and they realise that Culture is one of the most important gifts and tools we have as human beings, to derive meaning and extract joy from our lives, even in the face of difficult times.

I look forward to hearing your stories!