The subject of this part of the book is the principles, processes and techniques of culturally competent family therapy. Chapter 11 includes a discussion concerning the special nature of the therapeutic alliance in culturally competent family therapy. Cross-cultural communications between therapist and family are often subject to suspicion, ethnocentric prejudices and misunderstandings. These are particularly prominent in communication between therapists who represent the advantaged mainstream and families that represent disadvantaged minorities. The problems are even graver when the therapist represents organizations that symbolize political, social and economic power. Methods for overcoming these difficulties are suggested. Using intermediaries is recommended.
Chapter 12 concentrates on the question of how culturally competent therapeutic strategies and tactics are planned on the basis of the assessment. General principles for constructing a strategy are proposed. The components of a good strategy are listed and discussed. The main component specifies the principles and mechanisms for effecting therapeutic change. The choice of tactics and techniques of intervention should take into consideration the cultural-specific family programs and the stage of the therapeutic process. The therapist's analysis of the family's culture is not necessarily shared with the family. What is shared is determined by the family's cultural characteristics and by the goals of therapy. Techniques are borrowed from various sources and adapted to the needs of culturally competent therapy. Major sources are various schools of family therapy and traditional healing methods.
Chapter 13 discusses the structure and dynamics of the overall therapeutic process. It includes also one complete case description.