Culturally Sensitive Mental Health Practices From the Perspectives of Agency Therapists and African American Clients

This portrayal of the African American client and family appeared to be unjustified, Working with some of the more difficult African American clients and families and inquiring about their difficulty in following through with treatment programs and continued therapy sessions, a central theme began to emerge as an explanation for their behavior. Many of these African American clients and families believed they were not respected by the agencies or by the therapist. Many said they did not like being the only African American in treatment an#or they wanted an African American therapist. When the writer began to compare this informal data with his own observations and beliefs, he began to theorize about the relationship between agency/therapist level of cultural sensitivity and the successful treatment outcomes for African Americans. It is hoped that the knowledge gained from this research would further promote an understanding of the need for various approaches, in all forms of interaction, with members ethnic groups