Cultural Competence in Treatment and Service Provision

Whilst an understanding of race, ethnicity, and culture (including one’s own) is necessary to appreciate the diversity of human dynamics and to treat patients effectively, consideration of culture is important at all levels of operation and in all stages of treatment and recovery. 

Cultural competence is defined as “a set of behaviours, attitudes, and policies that enable people, organisations, and systems to work effectively in cross-cultural situations” (Cross et al, 1989). Incorporating cultural competence into treatment improves therapeutic decision-making and offers alternative ways to define and plan a treatment program firmly directed toward progress and recovery.  

Achieving cultural competence requires the participation of racially and ethnically diverse groups and underserved populations in the development and implementation of treatment approaches and training activities. This can be supported through the establishment of interagency partnerships and protocols with CALD organisations. Organisational commitment, including the adequate allocation of resources, reinforces the importance of sustaining cultural competence in counsellors and other clinical staff.  

Differences between service environments (e.g. NGO and public systems) and the associated support required to foster culturally competent systems and processes requires further research.