Much of mainstream psychology is rooted in Eurocentric values, which may not align with the lived experiences of many clients. Cultural humility is a vital tool in the decolonization of mental health practices.
This involves questioning the assumptions behind common therapies and being open to alternative ways of understanding the mind and emotions. For example, collective healing may be more relevant than individual insight for some communities.
Therapists must listen to the wisdom of Indigenous, African, Asian, and other cultural traditions. Humility means recognizing that healing can look very different across contexts.
Decolonizing mental health isn’t about abandoning science—it’s about broadening its horizons. Cultural humility makes space for voices that have too often been silenced.
Kanishka