Whether we call it cultural competence, multicultural competency, cultural sensitivity, or any of the other variations of terminology, I think we can all agree that it is important for all occupational therapists to strive towards developing the ability to provide occupational therapy services that transcend culture. And while there are a great deal of scientific studies and complex analyses of what precisely it means to be culturally competent and how to best develop this skill, when we look at cultural competence from a very basic level, there are several key points and skills that all occupational therapists can realistically integrate into daily practice in order to increase their overall cultural competence.

Research is helpful but don’t assume.
I think the first thing that we are all tempted to do when we get that new consult for a client from a different culture is to read up everything we can about that culture (or reach into our memory for anything we can recall from past experience) in order to prepare ourselves to provide culturally appropriate therapy. And while there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing our research and learning about different cultures so that we have some idea of what to expect, at the same time, we should not fall into the trap of assuming that what is true about 50, 70, or even 99% of the culture our client comes from will also be true about our client. So do your research and learn about other cultures, but don’t forget to still treat your clients like the individuals they are.

Race and Culture are not synonyms.
Another common mistake we make is to assume that race and culture are synonymous, meaning that if someone is of a certain race then they will also hold certain cultural values often associated with that race. But whereas race is biological and inherited, culture is individual and familial in nature. On a practical level, what this means is that someone can be from a specific culture even if their physical appearance would suggest otherwise. So for therapists, this means that we cannot assume that just because a person looks a certain way, they will automatically share the cultural values of other people who look like them.

Be willing to learn.
The best way for us to increase our understanding of those who differ from us in any way is by being willing to ask questions and learn from them. If you are working on ADLs with a client, don’t simply assume that they will perform that ADL in exactly the same way you do. Ask! And the same is true for work, leisure activities, IADLs, or any of the other areas you are addressing in therapy. Ask your clients to tell you how they performed the tasks previously, and how they ideally want to perform them in the future. Be open to learning about them and their way of doing things, and don’t assume that because you are the therapist you always know best. Try to see the world—and their occupational challenges—through their eyes, not yours, so that you can better suggest solutions that will be custom designed just for them.

Don’t forget who you are.
If you truly want to connect with your clients and learn about their cultural background, then be authentic yourself. This doesn’t mean that you have to tell them when you disagree with them on something or point out differences, instead it means that you shouldn’t “make-up” commonalities or pretend to agree with your client on things you don’t believe in order to appear more approachable. People can tell when you aren’t being authentic and honest. You wouldn’t trust someone who you don’t think is honest, so why would you expect your clients to do that? Instead, just be your honest and authentic (but still professional) self.

Cultural competence is not a skill that can be learned in a day. Nor it is a skill that can ever be fully acquired. Instead, it is a skill that all of us as occupational therapists can continue to work on in order to increase our effectiveness in providing client-centered therapy services. If you find yourself struggling with how to become more culturally competent, perhaps these four reminders—avoiding assumptions, not confusing race with culture, being willing to learn, and being authentic—can help. And if nothing else, at least remember to simply treat others the way you would want to be treated—with the same grace and compassion towards the challenges they see in front of them that you would want shown to you if your roles were reversed.

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