The cultural compass: A two-part study exploring cultural competence in training and practice

For almost as long as the NHS has existed, there have been disparities in mental health services experienced by ethnic minorities (Bansal et al., 2022). While counselling psychology is a forerunner for social justice and human rights (Tribe & Chrurua, 2023); the promotion of fairness, justice, and human rights requires an examination of these disparities to enhance services. One means to develop healthcare services has been the concept of cultural competence, which aims to provide high-quality support to clients from diverse backgrounds (Betancourt & Green, 2010). This is a two-part study exploring cultural competence. Study one used interpretative phenomenological analysis to analyse interviews with participants who were people of the global majority about their experiences of therapy and their therapists’ cultural competence. In study two, using a mixed methods design, trainee counsellors and trainers attended cultural competency training, which assessed levels of perceived competence before and after training. Participants were then invited to interviews to explore their training experiences using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results from study one mostly reflected participants wanting in-depth and culturally sensitive support from therapists whilst also highlighting the importance of the therapy relationship and broader issues limiting therapy services and their experiences. In study two, whilst cultural competency training improved trainees’ “knowledge” of cultural competence following training, it did not improve their “awareness”. “Knowledge” here pertains to recognising and understanding a client’s experience, whilst “awareness” pertains to awareness of oneself and others (Ponterotto et al., 2002; Sue, Arredondo & McDavies, 1992). Interview findings highlighted the importance for participants to understand their clients’ cultural experiences, the value of the therapy relationship and their own self-awareness. Themes also included considering broader challenges and limits surrounding their learning experiences. These results suggest a need to integrate cultural competency further within therapy and address systemic issues that limit the support that is available. Additionally, training programmes must consider the importance of understanding cultural competency whilst building self-awareness and relational skills. Furthermore, addressing wider issues limiting learning also needs to be further examined to address concerns and challenges. The absence of addressing individual needs for clients and therapists and broader structural challenges experienced by these groups are likely to create more challenges.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Professional Doctorate

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Wolverhampton

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Khan, Ursala

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Galbraith, Niall
• Jellicoe, Mark

• cultural competence
• counselling training evaluation
• counselling training culture
• client experience
• client perspective
• counselling training
• cultural competence practice
• cultural competency training
• culture therapy practice
• cultural competence therapy

Licence

• https://wlv.openrepository.com/bitstreams/1ee1a651-62ec-4976-b851-e3baffd49fc8/download