17: Treatment of Psychological Disorders - Cultural and Gender Issues in Psychotherapy

Question 1

Cultural and Gender Issues in Psychotherapy

Question 2

Cultural Factors in Treatment Utilization

Answer 2

Utilization of mental health services is far less for minority groups than it is for the majority white population

• Psychologists have identified several barriers that cause this:
  
  • Cultural norm against turning to professionals outside of one’s own culture for help
  • Inability to afford therapy
  • Too few skilled counselors who can provide culturally responsive forms of treatment

Question 3

Cultural Factors in Treatment Utilization

Culturally Competent Therapists

Answer 3

• Therapists who are able to use knowledge of the client’s culture to achieve a broad understanding of the client
• Able to introduce culture-specific elements into therapy

Question 4

Gender Issues in Therapy

Answer 4

• In the eyes of many therapists, it may be more important to focus on what can be done to change women’s life circumstances than to help them adapt to sex-role expectations that constrain them
• It is important for both men and women therapists to support people in making choices that meet their needs, whether it be a man who wishes to stay at home and care for children or a woman who wants a career in the military.