18- Culturally Safe Mental Health Care

About this episode

This episode discusses the importance of culturally safe mental health care for Black and African communities.

In this episode of Black Mentality, we dive into culturally safe mental health care, why therapy is not just for people in crisis, and what it truly means for Black and African communities to feel safe in therapeutic spaces. Heather (founder of Sokotherapy) unpacks the impact of code-switching in therapy, why clients shouldn’t have to teach their therapists about their culture, and how emotional safety is foundational to healing. We explore common myths about therapy, confidentiality concerns, migration trauma, and the importance of culturally informed care for Black and African Australians. This conversation is honest, practical, and deeply reflective—highlighting why mental health support must be accessible, culturally responsive, and grounded in dignity, safety, and understanding.

People in this episode

Guest: Heather

Topics covered

• culturally safe mental health care
• therapy
• Black and African communities
• code-switching
• emotional safety
• migration trauma
• culturally informed care

Keywords

• mental health
• therapy myths
• confidentiality
• accessibility
• cultural responsiveness

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Sokotherapy

Books & works: Black Mentality

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