Searching for a therapist can feel overwhelming. The sheer number of options, acronyms, and approaches is enough to make anyone want to give up. But for many in the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community, the search comes with another layer of stress and uncertainty. You might wonder:

Will they understand my experience? Will I have to explain myself? Will my cultural values be respected?

These aren’t small questions. They’re essential questions you need to ask yourself. You shouldn’t have to choose between a therapist who is skilled and a therapist who understands your identity. Your culture, your story, and your lived experience are not side notes in your healing journey, they are central. And finding a therapist who “gets it” is not just helpful; it can be transformative.

Why Cultural Competence Matters in Therapy: Building a Foundation of Trust

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Therapy is built on trust. And trust is fragile when you feel unseen, unheard, or misunderstood. When a therapist lacks cultural competence, it can feel like you’re doing more work than they are. Instead of focusing on your healing, you spend energy explaining the basics of your identity… or worse, defending your reality.

When a therapist lacks cultural competence, it can look like this:

• Dismissal: Minimizing the impact of racism, microaggressions, or discrimination on your mental health.
• Assumptions: Misinterpreting family dynamics, spiritual values, or cultural traditions, leading to unhelpful advice.
• Disconnection: Leaving you to “translate” your lived experience instead of being supported in it.

This is exhausting and can lead to you disengaging from therapy altogether. A study by the American Psychological Association found that a significant portion of ethnic and racial minority clients terminate therapy prematurely due to perceived cultural insensitivity from their therapists. This highlights the urgent need for culturally affirming care.

Culturally competent care isn’t about finding someone who shares your background exactly. It’s about finding a therapist who has done the work to understand how culture, race, and identity shape mental health. It’s about being met with empathy, curiosity, and respect from a professional who is committed to continuous learning.

What Does Culturally Competent Care Look Like?

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The term cultural competence gets used a lot, but what does it really mean? It’s more than just a buzzword; it’s a commitment to a specific approach to care. Let’s break down the key components.

1. Cultural Competence: At its core, cultural competence is the ability to understand, appreciate, and work effectively with people from cultures different from one’s own. In therapy, this means your provider takes the time to learn about your cultural context, values, and traditions. They see these not as obstacles to overcome, but as resources for your healing. They know that your background is a source of resilience and strength.

2. Cultural Humility: Beyond competence is humility. Cultural humility means the therapist acknowledges they will never be an expert on your lived experience. Instead, they approach you with openness and respectful curiosity. They’re willing to learn with you, not assume they already know. This creates a collaborative, non-hierarchical therapeutic relationship where you are the expert on your own life.

3. Racial Identity Development: A culturally competent therapist also understands that racial identity isn’t a footnote—it’s a central part of psychological development. They recognize how racism, discrimination, belonging, and exclusion can profoundly shape your self-concept. A provider who is skilled in this area is willing to explore those realities with you instead of ignoring them or dismissing their impact. They know that healing from systemic trauma is just as important as healing from personal pain.

This combination—competence, humility, and awareness—creates a therapeutic space where you don’t have to leave parts of yourself at the door. You can show up as your full, authentic self, knowing you will be met with understanding and respect.

How to Tell If a Therapist “Gets It”: Questions to Ask

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Here’s the practical part: how do you actually find a therapist who is culturally competent? One of the most powerful things you can do is ask direct questions during a consultation or initial phone call. Therapy is not one-size-fits-all, and you deserve to know how a provider approaches your care.

Here are some examples of questions to ask (and what to listen for):

• “What is your approach to working with clients from my cultural background?” Look for more than a generic answer. A thoughtful therapist will acknowledge cultural context and share real experience or training.
• “How do you address issues of racism or discrimination that may come up in a session?” A strong response will show that they don’t shy away from hard conversations. They should have a clear, compassionate framework for exploring these topics.
• “How do you incorporate my cultural values or spiritual beliefs into therapy?” This question helps you see if they view your culture as a strength to build on—not a problem to “work around.”
• “What does cultural humility mean to you?” This reveals whether the therapist is truly committed to ongoing learning and self-reflection.

Asking these questions is not being “difficult.” It’s setting the standard for the kind of care you deserve. It’s an act of self-advocacy that empowers you in your healing journey.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

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Just as important as knowing what to look for is knowing what to avoid. Pay attention to how you feel during the consultation. Here are some warning signs that a therapist may not be the right fit for you:

• They minimize or dismiss the impact of racism or discrimination.
• They give vague, generic answers that don’t acknowledge cultural differences.
• They act defensive or uncomfortable when you bring up identity or race.
• You feel judged, misunderstood, or silenced.

Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is. You have the right to feel safe and seen in the therapeutic relationship.

North Node Therapy’s Approach: Our Commitment to Culturally Affirming Care

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At North Node Therapy, cultural competence is not a checkbox—it’s the foundation of everything we do. We believe that:

• Your identity is central to your healing, not secondary.
• Your culture, values, and story are strengths, not barriers.
• Your lived experiences of racism or discrimination are real and valid, not minimized.

Our therapists are trained to work from a trauma-informed, culturally competent lens. That means you can show up as your full self—without having to explain, translate, or defend your existence. But our commitment goes beyond training. Our mission is to eliminate the barriers to finding care that truly fits. We do this by building a team of therapists of color—professionals who not only understand cultural dynamics from study and practice but also from lived experience. When your therapist has walked through similar cultural realities, there’s a level of understanding that can’t always be taught. Sometimes, they just get it. That shared experience creates a deeper sense of safety, trust, and belonging in the room.

We see therapy as a partnership. You bring your story, and we bring tools, perspective, and support to help you restore balance, resilience, and peace. And because we share in the mission of healing our communities, you don’t have to do it alone.

The Takeaway: Your Healing, Your Superpower

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Finding a culturally competent therapist is not about being “picky.” It’s about protecting your well-being. You deserve a therapist who understands your story, affirms your identity, and views your culture as a source of strength. You deserve care that feels safe and aligned. Remember:

• You don’t have to settle.
• You don’t have to explain away your identity.
• You don’t have to choose between therapy and cultural understanding.

Your healing is your birthright. And when you find a therapist who gets it, you unlock a superpower: the freedom to heal without compromise. If you’re ready to take that step, our team at North Node Therapy is here to help. Schedule a consultation today and begin your journey with a therapist who truly gets it.