Why culturally-responsive therapy matters (and how to begin your search)

For many in the Asian community, reaching out for mental health support can feel like a big step. Some people might already find it hard to look for a therapist, and/or it may feel even harder when the person sitting across from you doesn’t seem to understand the cultural nuances shaping your experience.

Family expectations, subtle racism, or the feeling of being caught between cultures aren’t always recognised or understood deeply, in mainstream therapy settings. These experiences can leave some people feeling unseen or misunderstood, even in these therapeutic spaces that are meant to feel supportive.

This is where culturally-responsive therapy might make a difference.

What does culturally-responsive therapy mean?

Culturally responsive therapy goes beyond simply “respecting” someone’s background. A therapist working from this perspective may recognise how migration, language barriers, cultural stigma, or intergenerational trauma can affect mental health for many in the Asian community.

Or alternatively, the culturally-responsive therapist is aware of their own cultural identity and the gaps in knowledge they may have in regards to your cultural identity.

For some, it can feel like a relief not to have to explain why phrases like “don’t air your dirty laundry” or “just tough it out” were common in their household growing up. A culturally responsive therapist may already understand these dynamics, or at least be open to learning, without judgement, about how your cultural identity shapes the way you see and experience the world.

Reflecting before you begin

Before you start your search for a therapist, it might help to pause and reflect on what it is that you’re currently seeking. Some questions you could ask yourself are:

• What cultural values or beliefs have shaped the way I view mental health?

• What feels important for a therapist to understand about me or my experiences?

• Am I looking for support with something specific, such as family pressures, identity, or racism?

These reflections may help you feel clearer about what you need, so that you can approach the process of finding support with a little more clarity.

Taking your first steps

When you’re ready to begin, there are spaces that specifically centre cultural diversity in mental health. The Shapes and Sounds Asian mental health practitioner list, for example, connects the Asian Australian community with over 100 Asian-identifying mental health practitioners across Australia.

We're super proud of our directory and, it might be a place for you to begin exploring, especially if you’re looking for someone who already understands some of the cultural contexts you bring into therapy.

An invitation to start your search

Seeking therapy can feel like a big leap, but rest assured that culturally-responsive care definitely exists out there to support you.

If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve created a gentle guide for you. It's a free PDF that includes reflective prompts and a simple checklist to help you think about what you might need before beginning therapy.

💡You can find the PDF, along with more insights, right over HERE.

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