Why a Culturally Competent Therapist Matters

By Elevation C³ · Published September 13, 2026 · 4 min read

Finding a therapist is hard. Finding one who understands you, without you having to explain your culture, your family, or what it is like to navigate racism, can feel even harder. For many Black clients, that is exactly why they never start therapy, or stop after a session or two.

This article looks at why a culturally competent therapist matters, what cultural competence actually looks like in the room, and what to ask when you are looking for care in Chicago or online.

The Mental Health Treatment Gap

Black Americans experience mental health challenges like anyone else, but they are far less likely to receive care. According to the U.S. Office of Minority Health, citing SAMHSA’s 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health:¹

• 14.7% of Black adults received mental health treatment in the past year, compared with 22.9% of all U.S. adults.
• Black adults were 36% less likely than U.S. adults overall to receive mental health treatment.
• Among adults who had a major depressive episode, 52.1% of Black adults received treatment, compared with 64.4% nationally.

The reasons are complex: cost, access, stigma, and mistrust rooted in real historical harm. But one barrier comes up again and again: not finding a provider who truly understands.

What Cultural Competence Means in Therapy

Cultural competence is more than a training certificate. The American Psychological Association’s Multicultural Guidelines call on psychologists to understand people within their context, recognizing that identity is shaped by culture, community, and systems, and that people hold multiple identities at once.⁴

In practical terms, a culturally competent therapist:

• Treats racism and discrimination as real sources of stress, not as something you are imagining or exaggerating.
• Understands that family, community, and faith can be sources of strength, not just sources of conflict.
• Does not interpret cultural norms as symptoms.
• Is aware of their own assumptions and keeps checking them.
• Invites your beliefs, practices, and identity into the treatment plan.

Why It Matters So Much

Being understood changes the work

NAMI notes that it is very important for a person to feel their identity is understood by their provider in order to receive the best possible support and care.³ When you do not have to translate your life, you can spend your sessions actually healing.

Misunderstanding can lead to misdiagnosis

NAMI also points out that Black individuals are more likely to be misdiagnosed with schizophrenia when expressing symptoms related to mood disorders.² A provider who understands cultural expression is better positioned to see what is really going on.

Your strengths get recognized

Family connection, spirituality, music, and community networks are, as NAMI describes, great sources of strength and support in Black culture.² Culturally competent care builds on those strengths instead of overlooking them.

What Culturally Competent Therapy Looks Like

You may notice cultural competence in small but meaningful ways:

• Your therapist asks about your culture, faith, and community because they want to understand you, not because it is a box to check.
• When you mention a racist experience at work, they take it seriously and explore how it is affecting you.
• They do not expect you to explain basic realities of Black life before they can help.
• Your goals are defined in terms that make sense within your values and your family.

Questions to Ask a Potential Therapist

NAMI encourages people to ask providers direct questions about cultural fit.³ Before you commit, consider asking:

• What experience do you have working with Black clients?
• How do you address racism and discrimination in therapy?
• Are you willing to integrate my beliefs, practices, and cultural background into my treatment?
• How do you handle it when you do not understand something about my culture?

A good therapist will welcome these questions. If they seem defensive or dismissive, that tells you something important.

Identity Is Not Just One Thing

You might be Black and LGBTQ+. You might be a Black man who was taught to carry everything alone. You might be deeply rooted in your faith. Culturally competent care holds all of who you are at once. Elevation C³ has deep expertise serving:

Culturally Competent Care in Chicago

Elevation C³ was built to be the kind of practice many Black clients have been looking for. Founder Dr. Kahan Sablo has served diverse communities for over 20 years, including as Dean and Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and brings that experience to counseling and behavioral health, personal coaching, and his work with the African American community.

If you are in crisis, please do not wait for an appointment. Call or text 988 any time.⁵

About Elevation C³
Elevation C³ provides culturally competent counseling, coaching, consulting, and professional speaking in Chicago and virtually nationwide. It is led by founder Dr. Kahan Sablo, who holds a Doctor of Education, a Master of Social Work, and a Master of Science in Counseling and Psychological Services. Meet Dr. Sablo.