When You Need a Friend: Snapshots of Therapists Struggling with Cultural Competence and Larger Systems Issues

Author(s)

Rihab Alsaeed, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Paula Boros, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Samantha Corrington, University of Victoria - CanadaFollow
Anne H. Rambo, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Joely Spencer, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow

ORCID ID

0000-0002-2480-9651, 0000-0001-6204-5296

ResearcherID

B-8088-2018

Publication Title

Journal of Systemic Therapies

ISSN

1195-4396

Publication Date

3-2018

Abstract

In this article, we look at three examples of therapists struggling with cultural competence issues and involvement with larger systems. In each situation, the concept of the cultural broker is relevant. Kelly and Hudson (2016) advocate for therapists taking the role of a cultural broker, assisting the family to intervene with the oppressive dominant culture in culturally syntonic ways, as well as advocating for the family; this can be described as walking alongside the client through the intersection between cultures (McDowell et al, 2017). In our first example, Alseead and Spencer worked together as cultural brokers for each other, balancing each other's cultural biases. In our second example, Boros provided translation to the larger system of an experience shared by herself and her client. In our final example, Corrington turns to elders within the community to help her better serve her clients. Rambo provided consultation for all three situations.

DOI

10.1521/jsyt.2018.37.1.27

Volume

37

Issue

1

First Page

27

Last Page

35

Comments

©2018 JST Institute LLC

NSUWorks Citation

Alsaeed, R., Boros, P., Corrington, S., Rambo, A. H., & Spencer, J. (2018). When You Need a Friend: Snapshots of Therapists Struggling with Cultural Competence and Larger Systems Issues. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 37 (1), 27-35. https://doi.org/10.1521/jsyt.2018.37.1.27