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Culturally Affirming Therapy Policy
Introduction
Our therapeutic practice is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all individuals. We lead with the awareness that minority cultures or groups from the dominant populations experience unjust societal treatment that may increase vulnerability to mental health concerns. The Culturally Affirming Therapy Policy outlines the principles and standards guiding our interactions with clients.
Policy
Self-Awareness: Therapists work to gain insight into how their own cultural background, personal assumptions, and unconscious biases impact their personal and professional perspectives.
Education: Therapists work to educate themselves on any aspects on their clients cultural identities that they may not be informed about.
Understanding: Therapists are to ask questions about their clients cultural backgrounds to explore what role their cultural identities play in their mental health.
Affirmation: Therapists affirm their clients cultural identities and encourage them to embrace their authenticity. They do not treat cultural differences as "problems", "symptoms" or "conditions".
Acknowledgement: Therapists approach treatment with the understanding that discrimination, racial trauma, intergenerational trauma, historical trauma, generational poverty, and health disparities can impact mental health. They acknowledge any oppression clients describe experiencing.
Humility: Therapists accept any client feedback and adjust as necessary.
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Compliance with this Culturally Affirming Therapy Policy is mandatory for all therapists at Stephanie Fuller Psychotherapy and Counselling. Please inform the director Stephanie Fuller at Stephaniefuller@sftherapy.ca if there is failure to comply. As therapists, our goal is to provide the best care to all of our clients, which includes understanding, affirming, and respecting the identities and experiences of all individuals.
2SLGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy Policy
Introduction
Our therapeutic practice is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all individuals, irrespective of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. This 2SLGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy Policy outlines the principles and standards guiding our interactions with clients.
Policy
Affirmation: Therapists must provide a supportive, affirmative, and validating environment for all 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, acknowledging and respecting their identities, relationships, and experiences.
Non-discrimination: Therapists are committed to treating all clients with dignity and respect, irrespective of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Discrimination, bias, and prejudice will not be tolerated.
Competence: Therapists are expected to have, or actively seek, a robust understanding of the specific mental health issues, societal pressures, and experiences of discrimination that 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals may face.
Training: Therapists are encouraged to pursue ongoing education and training on 2SLGBTQIA+ issues, best practices, and emerging research to ensure the most effective and compassionate care.
Cultural Humility: Therapists should approach each client’s experience with humility and openness, understanding that each individual’s experience of their sexuality or gender is unique and cannot be generalized.
Language: Therapists must use inclusive and affirming language, including using each client’s affirmed name and pronouns.
Confidentiality: Therapists will respect the privacy of 2SLGBTQIA+ clients, including any discussions about sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Advocacy: Therapists will advocate for the rights and needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in the therapeutic setting and wider community.
Self-Determination: Therapists respect and support the autonomy of 2SLGBTQIA+ clients, including their right to make decisions about their identity, disclosure, transition-related care, relationships, and other aspects of their life and wellbeing.
Avoiding Harm: Therapists reject any therapy aiming to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, such as conversion therapy, which is unethical and harmful.
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Compliance with this 2SLGBTQIA+ Affirming Therapy Policy is mandatory for all therapists at Stephanie Fuller Psychotherapy and Counselling. Please inform the director Stephanie Fuller at Stephaniefuller@sftherapy.ca if there is failure to comply. As therapists, our goal is to provide the best care to all of our clients, which includes understanding, affirming, and respecting the identities and experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals.