Contextualizing Culturally Responsive Care: A Relational, Critically Reflexive, and Values-Based Approach

Abstract

Despite efforts to embrace the diverse cultural identities present across Canada, the mental health of many cultural communities are under supported. Culturally responsive care initiatives have been proposed to help address disparities and provide care that supports diversity. However, what these practices look like in mental health settings is still being understood. Through this reflexive thematic analysis informed by grounded theory, perspectives from eleven mental health clinicians were analyzed and generated a modest framework, consisting of five themes and factors. These consist of: Fostering Connection through compassionate therapeutic relationships and reflexivity; Collaboration with families, cultural communities, and interdisciplinary teams; Epistemology and challenging mainstream assumptions of mental health with critical awareness; practicing Advocacy and fostering empowerment and global solidarity; and cultivating personal and professional Values that embody curiosity, adaptability, persistence, and humility. These findings may help to inform culturally responsive mental health care and improve culturally responsive training and education practices.