Beyond Awareness: Being a Critical Self-Observer

Cultural humility requires more than knowing about diversity, equity, and inclusion—it requires therapists to actively examine how their own thoughts, emotions, assumptions, and responses may influence clinical practice.

In this video excerpt from the AAMFT Systemic Therapy Certificate Cultural Humility and Responsiveness (10 CEs), Shatavia Thomas, DMFT, LMFT, explores the importance of becoming a critical self-observer and paying attention to what happens internally when working with clients across differences. She highlights the role of somatic responses, self-awareness, and relational power in recognizing potential biases and identifying dynamics that may affect the therapeutic relationship.

Explore the full Certificate at aamft.org/certificates.