Why I Prefer the Term Cultural Humility
By: Lori Steffen, PLMHP, PLCSW
While I have only been a clinical therapist for a couple of years, I have been a social worker, at least in spirit, since 1996. My first such position was with an Alzheimer’s Association chapter, supporting families and diagnosed individuals. I eventually officially became a social worker in 2008 when I received my Masters in Social Work from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. I decided to pursue my MSW while I was the staff development coordinator for one of the Kansas City region’s community mental health centers. One of my responsibilities at that time was to make sure that every staff person had six hours of “diversity” training. Thus really began my professional journey of exploring the concept of cultural competence….
My personal journey of exploring cultural competency started much younger, and thanks to my parents and my teachers, helped set me on a path of continual learning and humility. Growing up south of Yankton in the 70’s and 80’s, it would have been so easy for me to not get exposed to different cultures. I was lucky that my parents prioritized taking our family on road trips throughout this country. This along with some excellent teachers encouraged me to widen my perspective from a young age. Those of you that are parents and teachers, please do not underestimate how important this can be in a child’s development. I have learned that not everyone that I am going to work with will have been lucky enough to have had this upbringing.
Early in my professional career I was taught that the goal is cultural competence. In the beginning, this centered on developing awareness, knowledge and skills, although our understanding continues to be more nuanced. In working with the staff at my former community mental health center in Missouri, I developed trainings to help staff develop their self awareness. I learned through trainings that I put myself through, of the unintended consequences of failure to examine one’s own biases, beliefs and biases and their potential effects on the work being done. It is humbling to ask yourself, “How might I be getting in the way?” and yet it is so crucial.
As behavioral health professionals, some of the work in understanding our clients can come more easily, especially if we grew up in similar circumstances. However, I understand there are things I am not going to have as easy an entry with them. For example, just because “I was young once” does NOT mean I know what it is like now. Too many things are WAY different. As a person with very light skin, I cannot know what it is like for people to make certain assumptions based on the color of their skin. The list goes on. Exposing ourselves to different perspectives through interpersonal engagement, reading, and seeking out alternative media can help us understand what we might not know, as well as of course specialized training.
I am also continuing to develop an understanding not only of the values of cultures in which I did not grow up in, but also of the stresses encountered by individual members who do not always aspire to or attempt to conform to those values. Others may indeed be in stress in attempting to manage their values (and indeed their individual identities) in the face of cultural opposition.
While I have been developing skills, especially communication skills,for over thirty years that can help navigate these issues and build connections, I try to stay humble enough to critique my efforts and seek additional training in these areas as well. I am also lucky enough to have a wonderful clinical supervisor, Alicia Wagner, LIMHP, LCSW, LADC, who continually provides different perspectives and gives me good ideas.
There is more to say, and I can share more in the future if there is interest. In the end, the term “cultural humility” reminds me that I need to be continually willing to learn, including and especially from my clients. This does NOT mean that I expect my clients to teach me. It is MY responsibility to continue to learn. To learn about them, of course. To learn about the communities they come from and the types of experiences they may have. And to continue to learn about myself and how my values and experiences affect my reactions and my choices.
