This is self-work, and I'm Dr. Margaret Rutherford.

At self-work, we discuss psychological and emotional issues and what you can do about them,

whether that's learning self-acceptance, taking action, or seeking therapy or treatment.

Ten years ago, I extended the walls of my practice to reach those of you who might already be

knowledgeable about mental health treatment, but also to those of you who might say you'd never

darken the door of a therapist. And yet, you are here. I'll answer your questions while I invite

you to take a few minutes for

your own self-work. Now, for any of you who've listened to self-work for a while, you can

probably guess my preference, and in many ways I've already said it. I don't think you

necessarily have to choose one or the other. You could take courses and at becoming culturally competent.

But then along with that learning, realize that no course can help you understand a culture.

Completely.

That can take years.

It's nuanced.

Welcome to this week's edition of Self-Work.

I'm going to focus today on the vital importance of what's termed

cultural humility as I respond to a listener voicemail. In that voicemail, the listener pointed out

that as I'm a white person, that my advice comes from a place of privilege. What may surprise

you, but in many ways I hope not,

I don't disagree with this young woman's feedback to me.

Of course, my perspective is limited by my experience of life.

Although I've worked with many different kinds of people

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