The article discusses the importance of cultural competency in mental health care, emphasizing the author's personal journey through therapy and treatment for an eating disorder. Despite seeking professionals from diverse backgrounds, the author often felt misunderstood or dismissed. Cultural competency—defined as the ability to effectively interact with people from diverse cultures—is highlighted as a critical factor in the therapeutic relationship, suggesting that understanding and empathy are paramount for effective care, regardless of the clinician's background.
"I then saw a dietician who, like my GP, bonded with my family over their shared culture. Instead of concluding that I needed to seek further help for a mental illness, she commented on the modesty of my year 10 formal dress."
"What is cultural competency? Anila Azhar, a Glebe Point Road Psychology Psychologist, defines cultural competency as the ability to understand, appreciate, and effectively interact with people from different cultures and belief systems."
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