What is “transcultural psychiatry”?

We all grow up in a culture that is unique to us and influences our behavior with others. Taking languages, ways of thinking and traditions into account means offering relevant psychiatric care and avoiding diagnostic errors.

How was transcultural psychiatry born?

Born about fifty years ago, transcultural psychiatry focuses on the cultural skills of patients, but also of caregivers. This unprecedented approach has made it possible to highlight the influence of culture on the way of making a diagnosis, taking charge of the person and ultimately being more effective in care.

If initially it was intended for refugees, it has gradually been extended to victims of trauma, immigrant minors, mixed couples, adopted children, radicalized people or people coming from a conflict zone.

Why consider cross-cultural factors?

Taking into account the mother tongue and cultural codes in general, allows the suffering person to fully express their emotions and their personal history, by limiting the prejudices of the therapist. This is why most transcultural psychiatric consultations are carried out with the help of a translator, and sometimes in a group, to best gather the words of those who are suffering and offer them appropriate care.

If this type of device is still insufficient with regard to the needs, one can find in several large French cities psychiatrists who offer their skills or with certain associations.

Find out more: Directory of transcultural psychiatric and psychotherapeutic consultations: parole-sans-frontiere.org