Working with Clients Having Conflicting Beliefs

We live in a society filled with a variety of views. Differences in faith, traditions, and political leanings are more visible today than before. Eventually, a client will walk in who sees the world differently from you. What should a therapist do in this case? Try to change their mind? Disregard the differences? End the session? Here’s how therapists can manage working with clients whose beliefs differ from theirs.

Overview

• Therapists should focus on empathy, listening with care, and showing respect when working with clients from backgrounds different than their own. Download my list of therapeutic questions.
• Being culturally aware means understanding your own assumptions, learning about your client’s perspective, and adjusting your approach to match their values.
• If a therapist’s personal views start to affect the work, it's best to consult a supervisor—or refer the client if needed.
• The quality of therapy relies more on the bond between therapist and client than shared opinions or theories, making trust and understanding essential.
• Using an AI Medical Scribe like SOAPsuds can help therapists stay organized with documentation and insurance claims.

Ways to work with clients who hold different beliefs

To connect with clients who think differently, follow these basic steps:

·      Listen closely

To help a client, you need to learn about their issues, mental health background, and history. This means active listening—not lecturing, giving advice, or sharing your own opinions. Many therapists find it easier to talk than to deeply listen.

·     Show empathy

Understanding the client’s values and giving proper help means feeling what they feel. True empathy means you relate to their emotions, not just their thoughts. Therapists need to go beyond logic and genuinely feel their client’s experiences.

·     Learn from them

 Therapists don't have all the answers. Their knowledge is shaped by their own culture, training, and upbringing. When working with someone from a different background, it’s important to learn from that person. One of the best methods is to simply ask the client about their experience. Don’t worry if you sound unsure. Clients usually appreciate when a therapist is open to learning. Asking thoughtful questions helps both the therapist and the client. And it’s important to remember that people are complex—not defined by one cultural label.

·     Talk with others

Learning more might mean speaking with colleagues. Supervisors or peers with experience in certain cultures or communities can give helpful insights. This is especially useful if you feel uncomfortable or uncertain about how to proceed. Guidance from experienced therapists is always helpful.

·     Be respectful

Therapists have personal opinions like anyone else. But part of their job is to put those aside and treat every client with respect. Without respect, there can be no working relationship. The connection between therapist and client is more important than therapy methods or qualifications. Mutual respect and empathy hold that bond together.

·     Avoid changing their views

Therapists might feel the urge to steer a client toward their own beliefs, especially when there are strong differences. Avoid this. Your role is to help clients move toward their own goals, not to get them to agree with you.

·     Practice cultural awareness

A culturally aware therapist understands two things: 1) their own background affects how they see clients, and 2) clients come from places and experiences unlike their own.

It’s considered essential in the field—psychologists, counselors, and social workers are expected to be aware of their clients’ cultural backgrounds during therapy.

·     Therapy that respects culture

One of the first things a therapist should do is recognize that the client may be from a different culture. This gives the client space to talk about their roots, and it helps therapists ask honest questions. Talking about differences early on helps the client feel respected and opens up trust.

Choosing the right therapy style also matters. For example, when working with someone from a Latino background, a therapist might be more open about themselves because the client’s culture values connection.

·     Making therapy fit the culture

 Therapists can also make therapy more effective by adjusting methods for certain groups. Studies show that therapy meant for specific cultures works better—sometimes four times more.

These changes might include respecting different values, using language that connects, and understanding how a culture sees mental health. CBT, for instance, has been shaped to fit different cultures. With Asian clients, that can mean valuing the therapist’s credibility, supporting group balance, and keeping harmony in relationships.

When you don’t feel a connection with a client

It’s possible that a client’s views might lead a therapist to feel disconnected. A gay therapist, for instance, might find it hard to work with a client who holds strong religious views against homosexuality. When this happens, the therapist needs to ask if they can still offer good care.

Dr. Renee Walters, a psychologist who researches therapist-client dynamics, says it’s difficult to feel empathy toward someone you dislike—and therapy may suffer because of that. Still, first impressions can change. A therapist may grow to better understand or even appreciate a client over time.

Referring the client

Some therapists continue working with clients they struggle with due to financial pressure or fear of losing business. But referring that client might be the better option. As already stated, the bond between therapist and client is crucial—and if that bond is weak, progress will be too. Therapists must be honest about their reactions and choose what supports the client’s mental health.

If you work in this field long enough, you’ll meet clients with views that challenge your own. It’s not easy—especially if those views stir strong emotions. But it’s part of the job. Therapists must try to offer their best effort to every client, no matter what they believe.

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