These tips were designed to meet the needs of the busy clinician for concise, easily accessed “how-to” information. They describe behaviors around respect, acceptance, sensitivity, commitment to equality, openness, humility, and flexibility. Their suggestions include:
- Exploring, acknowledging, and validating the client’s worldview
- Maintaining a nonjudgmental attitude toward the client
- Understanding the client’s experiences of racism, stereotyping, and discrimination
- Proactively addressing racism or bias as it occurs in treatment (e.g., processing derogatory comments made by another client in a group counseling session)
- Recognizing the value of traditional healing and help-seeking practices
For more information, explore SAMHSA’s manual Improving Cultural Competence: KAP Keys for Clinicians.
