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Ethnocultural psychotherapy was developed by Dr. Comas-Diaz and Dr. Frederick M. Jacobsen to integrate human diversity into clinical practice. This eclectic approach acknowledges the concept of self as an internal ethnocultural representation. The recognition, recovery, and use of the client's strengths constitute central tenets in this framework.
Ethnocultural psychotherapy acknowledges the significance of power and its paradoxical effects. As an empowering approach, it aims at conscientization (increasing awareness) and transformation. Within this context, conscientization involves the awakening of consciousness, a change of mentality, resulting in a realistic awareness of one's place in society; the capacity to critically analyze the causes and consequences of one's position; and taking action that is logically aimed at transformation.
Ethnocultural psychotherapy examines human diversity dynamics and processes in a contextualized manner. Some of these constructs include self–world relationships, identity, transculturation, and ethnocultural transference and countertransference. Ethnocultural psychotherapy acknowledges the confluence of both the therapist's and the client's realities. Given that such confluence is accentuated within the dyadic encounter, the therapeutic relationship is recognized as an essential agent of change. The therapist–client relationship attempts to promote critical consciousness and transformation. It facilitates ethnocultural identification and addresses the attribution of otherness.
Ethnocultural psychotherapy reconciles ethnocultural factors in assessment and treatment. The ethnocultural assessment was specifically developed as both an assessment and a treatment tool. It considers several stages that may have contributed to the development of the client's ethnocultural identity. These stages include ethnocultural heritage, family myth, posttransition analysis, self-adjustment, and factors in the therapist's ethnocultural background to determine specific areas of real or potential overlap with the client's background. Other clinical tools include multigenerational genograms, ethnocultural transitional maps, testimonies, and ethnocultural tales.
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