Black,White or shades of grey: the challenges of ethnic and cultural difference (or similarity) in the therapeutic process

Abstract

In multi-cultural societies, the ethnic mix of patient and carer populations may be diverse.Culturally sensitive psychiatric services need to be aware of the specific needs of their patients such as interpreters, bilingual staff and accessible resources.The importance of crosscultural awareness has also been stressed.The challenges and limitations of the psychiatrist (therapist) working with minority ethnic populations have received wide coverage. However, there is a dearth of literature on the Black or ethnic minority psychiatrist working withWhite and Black patients. Using vignettes, this paper discusses the challenges posed by ethnic and cultural difference or similarity in the therapeutic process. By emphasizing the meaning of difference in the clinical transaction the paper highlights the need for awareness of this process.It concludes that the ethnic minority psychiatrist may find himself in the unique position of being neither 'Black' nor 'White' but 'shades of grey'.