ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we explore the role of culture and its connection to trauma, identify the cultural risk factors of groups that have been or are disempowered, marginalized, and/or disenfranchised, and present the protective factor of ethnic identity strength in relationship with trauma. The chapter reviews culture’s influence on diagnosis, communication, and desired therapeutic outcomes in trauma work, and it presents guidelines for the clinician’s role in practicing culturally sensitive trauma work. Case examples are presented to illustrate the concepts, and the chapter concludes with a keyword assessment, list of experiential activities, and supervisory discussion topics.
