Provides information on the effects of an ethnic 'match' between
counselors and the people they treat, according to a study by Stanley
Sue, psychologist at the University of California at Davis. Relation
between Asian-Americans and Mexican-Americans; Use of the Sue's research
to argue in favor of white-only and black-only psychotherapy practices;
Highlight of general skills each therapist should have among them.
By
PT Staff, published on September 01, 1998
News & Trends
There's no doubt about it--in America, race matters. But does it
matter if therapists and clients are the same color?.
Stanley Sue, Ph.D., a psychologist at the University of California
at Davis, has spent almost two decades studying the effects of an ethnic
"match" between counselors and the people they treat. Among his findings:
Asian-Americans and Mexican-Americans appear to go to more sessions, drop
out less frequently, and make more progress when they have the same
ethnic background as their counselors. In addition, African-Americans and
whites who have therapists of the same race stay in treatment longer--a
situation that's associated with better outcomes.
To Sue's dismay, the studies have stirred strong protest, with
critics charging that he is advocating the segregation of psychological
services. Some South Africans have used his research to argue in favor of
white-only and black-only psychotherapy practices.
Sue insists he doesn't believe that patients should seek out
therapists of their own ethnicity, only that they ought to have the
choice. "Match, in and of itself, is probably not that important," he
says. "There are some good general skills that every therapist should
have." Among them:
o Think like a scientist. That means forming and testing hypotheses
rather than jumping to premature conclusions.
o Know what's personal and what's cultural. Therapists must be
aware of cultural patterns while not resorting to stereotypes.
o Comprehend the culture. Therapists with similar backgrounds may
catch on quicker, but sensitive therapists can learn to understand any
client.
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university of california at davis
