Culturally Responsive Therapy for BIPOC People in Illinois

What is Culturally Responsive Therapy?

Culturally responsive therapy is when client and therapist are of differing ethnicities, identitites, cultures, experiences or backgrounds and the therapist is able to broach these differences with their client. It is important to note, that even if your therapist shares a similar ethnic or cultural background, the therapist still needs to be diligent with providing culturally responsive care because each family, upbringing, and culture within the family is unique. A culturally responsive therapist is aware that these differences can become a barrier in the therapy room. Broaching is openly talking about differences and how they impact yhe therapy process. While some of our therapists may share similar cultural experiences, we may not share every experience that you have. This is okay and can and should be explored in therapy.

Culturally responsive therapy understands that sociopolitical issues cause an impact and can be traumatic. Therapy is a safe space to process these experiences. Therapy is not, however, a place for the therapist to pose their views onto you. Therapy is your space. Culturally responsive therapy understands the importance of family, religion or spirituality, food, music, and relationship dynamics. 

Talking to your therapist about Cultural Differences: Broaching

At S & J Wellness PLLC we believe in utilizing tenets from relational-cultural therapy. It is a relationship centered and culturally oriented form of therapy (Jordan, 2010), where the main focus is building a positive therapeutic relationship with our clients. We understand that there are specific concerns which impact our clients. These stressors can be about culture and identity, and sociopolitical issues. Our therapists understand the need to broach and discuss oppressive systems that impact people of color while providing a safe space to process concerns. Broaching in therapy is intentional and meaningful (Day-Vines et al., 2007).

Why is Therapy Helpful?

Therapy helps you:

• Process trauma
• Learn better ways to cope
• Talk to someone who is trained to look for patterns and themes in your life
• Reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns
• Explore impact of racism, oppressive systems, and sociopolitical issues 
• Explore family of origin conflicts
• Improve relationships with others
• Improve relationship with self

What Type of Therapy do you offer at S & J Wellness?

We use several evidenced based therapy interventions. 

For Children: CBT, and Trauma Focused-CBT, Play Therapy,

For Adults: CBT, DBT, Somatic Therapies, EFT, Family Therapy.

We also understand that therapy is not a "one size fits all." Our therapists also have their own approaches and use several other therapy styles. We encourage you to ask your potential therapist what style they use. You can also tell your therapist what works for you and what doesn't! Here are some of the other therapy styles we use at S & J Wellness.

• Attachment and Relational
• Psychodynamic
• Existential
• Narrative
• Liberation Psychology Framework
• Talk/Process
• Humanistic

Our therapists are culturally responsive and understand people need to be understood and validated. We take active steps to communicate empathically with our clients and understand their therapeutic needs.