Can only lead one to deduce that less value is placed on Indian health than that of other populations. Historical and contemporary relationships with the federal government have impacted the health status of AI/ANs. In spite of sovereign nation status, tribal communities still reside within a federal system that has historically undermined their self-determination (Gone & Trimble, 2012) and are challenged by difficult structural and social conditions that differ from the general experiences of others in the United States.
- Treatment planning is a dynamic process that evolves along with an understanding of the clients’ histories and treatment needs.
- Verdon and colleagues (Verdon et al., 2016) highlighted the importance of co-designing interventions with communities to address systemic inequities and barriers.
- Stigma has emerged as one of the most consistent barriers to care across several studies for Native communities.
- Instead, culturally responsive therapists flexibly adjust their methods, incorporating culturally relevant metaphors, storytelling techniques, or even traditional healing practices when appropriate.
Thoughtful Evaluation and Treatment Planning in Culturally Responsive Therapy
Horton and Munoz (2021) addressed gaps in evidence-based practice (EBP) frameworks by advocating for the integration of culturally responsive approaches in teaching and practice. Similarly, Makker et al. (2022) emphasized the importance of cultural relevance in speech-language therapy for justice-involved youth, advocating for a deeper understanding of cultural contexts to enhance outcomes. By integrating CRPs, interventions can address both the systemic and interpersonal barriers that hinder equitable outcomes in youth justice systems. Given the significant impact of communication disabilities on justice outcomes, SLPs play a crucial role in bridging these gaps through tailored interventions and support. Without effective interventions, language and other communication disabilities often persist into adulthood, adversely affecting mental health, literacy, and employment prospects (Feeney et al., 2012; Law et al., 2009). The first three authors are affiliated with Māori tribes in NZ and bring extensive experience in implementing culturally responsive practices across education, speech-language pathology, and youth justice contexts.
Adaptation Processes
Twenty-nine studies focused on one ethnic group 27, 30–36, 39, 41, 42, 47–49, 51, 57, 69, 75, 77–80, 82–85, 87, 89, 92 while thirty-three included more than one ethnic group 28, 29, 37, 38, 40, 43–46, 50, 52–56, 58–68, 70–73, 86, 91, 93 and five studies did not report the ethnicity of their participants 74, 76, 81, 88, 90. Qualitative studies included four case studies 87–90, and the methods of data collection used were interviews 90–92, focus groups 89, 93 or open-ended questions . All mixed methods studies used congruent triangulation 72–85, except for one that chose a sequential transformative design . Other study types included controlled before and after studies 53–60, historically controlled studies 61–63, cross-sectional studies 64–67, cohort studies 68, 69 and incidence studies 70, 71. Fourteen studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) 27–40 with two cluster randomizations 27, 28. Included studies applied a quantitative study design in 69%, a mixed method design in 21% and 10% were qualitative studies.
The implementation of culturally responsive therapy yields numerous benefits, enhancing the overall effectiveness of mental health care for diverse populations. As people with more culturally diverse backgrounds seek mental health care, it is essential to offer access to an equally diverse network of providers with culturally responsive clinical skills. Research shows that providing culturally competent care helps people feel more comfortable getting mental health support and stay engaged in treatment. As an example, AI community mental health workers have delivered a culturally adapted evidence-based intervention to youth who have attempted suicide and their family members (see Cwik et al., 2016).
CuraLinc Healthcare
Remote services also make client‑matching easier, pairing you with therapists who understand your identity and clinical needs, which smooths the path to effective anxiety‑focused work. The next subsection explains how remote therapy can broaden access and what to expect from a matching or intake process. The following section details insurance options and affordability considerations for clients in NY and NJ. Considering in‑network participation and sliding scale options lowers financial barriers, and remote weekly psychotherapy expands access across regions. Through reflective dialogue and attention to transference, clients identify repetitive themes — such as fear of abandonment or perfectionism — that shape anxious responses and interpersonal behavior. Psychodynamic therapy views anxiety as often rooted in unresolved conflicts, attachment ruptures, or internalized relational expectations, and uses exploration of past relationships and patterns to generate insight and change.
Panelists also pointed to recent state approval to bill Medi-Cal for services delivered on campuses as a concrete opportunity to expand access, if systems can staff, coordinate, and sustain implementation. The same report found that only about one-third of high school students felt like a real part of their school community.4 Panelists described intensified pressures on young women and girls linked to social media and identity-based harassment, including racial, disability, and 2SLGBTQIA+ bullying. Panelists stressed that these patterns are a predictable outcome of how systems are structured and resourced in environments where chronic strain is normalized and care remains difficult to access.
Chapter 5 reviews health-related beliefs and practices that can affect help-seeking behavior across diverse populations. Just as culture shapes an individual’s sense of identity, it also shapes attitudes surrounding health practices and substance use. There is not just one Latino, African American, or Native American culture; many variables influence culture and cultural identity (see the “What Are the Cross-Cutting Factors in https://www.mountaineers.org/blog/honoring-indigenous-peoples-through-education Race, Ethnicity, and Culture” section in Chapter 1).
