In the world of mental health and psychotherapy, psychodynamic theory has long offered valuable insight into human behavior. Rooted in the work of Sigmund Freud and later expanded by others, this approach explores how unconscious processes, early childhood experiences, and deep-seated relational patterns shape our emotions and actions.
At its core, psychodynamic theory assumes that much of what influences us lies beneath the surface—formed in early relationships, often within the family, and carried with us into adulthood. For instance, persistent patterns in how we form attachments or manage conflict may be less about our present situation and more about unresolved dynamics from the past.
However, as therapy has evolved, so has the understanding that individual experience is always shaped by cultural context. This brings us to the growing emphasis on cultural competence—the ability of therapists to understand, respect, and respond to the cultural backgrounds and identities of their clients.
Historically, psychodynamic theory was developed within a Eurocentric, upper-class framework. Early theorists largely overlooked how factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, religion, immigration, and socioeconomic status influence psychological development. Today, there is a conscious effort to correct this—to bring cultural competence into the psychodynamic lens.
A culturally competent psychodynamic approach recognizes that identity is not formed in a vacuum. Culture informs our family dynamics, our coping strategies, our values, and even how we express distress. For example, a therapist working with a client from a collectivist culture might explore how familial duty and community expectations shaped the client’s sense of self. For someone from a marginalized racial group, the therapy process might include addressing how systemic inequality and intergenerational trauma contribute to internalized beliefs or emotional struggles.
In practice, this means therapists must do more than understand psychodynamic theory—they must also listen with cultural humility, remain aware of their own biases, and view each client’s story as embedded in a larger social and cultural narrative.
Bringing these two elements together—depth psychology and cultural awareness—creates a richer, more human-centered form of care. It honors both the personal and the collective forces that shape who we are and how we heal.