Cultural Responsiveness in Family Therapy: Integrative and Common Factors Lens

Abstract

While integrative approaches have had an impact on family therapy practice, how these approaches to therapy may be particularly suited to enhancing cultural responsiveness in family therapy has not been explored extensively. In this chapter, I will illustrate how I use the common factors lens (Sprenkle et al. (2009). Common factors in couple & family therapy: The overlooked foundation for effective practice. New York, NY: Guilford Press) and foundational therapeutic approaches such as the basic genogram and the cultural genogram (Hardy et al. (1995) Journal of Marital & Family Therapy 21:227–237, 1995; McGoldrick et al. (2008). Genograms: Assessment & intervention. New York, NY: W. W. Norton) integratively, to enhance cultural responsiveness in systemic and family therapy. Attunement to two factors, client and therapist factors, are considered important components of effective therapy models. Understanding the dynamic nature of clients’ lives and their cultural realities is critical to the therapy process. I will provide examples of how to utilize in family therapy the clinical tools that infuse cultural responsiveness and awareness of culture systemic work.