As therapists, we want the best for our clients. If you're a straight therapist working with LGBTQ+ clients, for instance, you might worry about threatening the therapeutic alliance by accidentally saying the wrong thing. You might be concerned about seeming uninformed or unprepared for the work ahead. You might wonder if bringing up identity differences will make your client uncomfortable.

Here's the kicker: Your clients are already aware of your cultural differences. And when you avoid bringing them up, they notice.

Not talking about it doesn't make it go away. It just means you miss an opportunity for deeper understanding.

Research shows that therapists who bring up cultural differences in the first session rate higher on cultural competency. By opening the conversation, you signal that you're at ease, informed, and an effective ally. 

I'm here to show you how.

Hi, I'm Tom Bruett. As a relational therapist grounded in the Developmental Model, I've learned a lot about leaning into tough conversations.

As a gay man, I've also had my own less-than-affirming experiences in therapy, and heard my share of horror stories. I've put a lot of thought into what it takes to do powerful therapy with clients whose experiences may be very different from your own.

I want to show you what it takes to earn your client's trust from the very first session.

Learn a quick and easy assessment tool to open the conversation.

The identity kaleidoscope is my approach to starting the conversation about identity. It's easy, it's playful, and it opens the door to a much deeper conversation.

It helps you visualize the intersections between multiple different forms of identity, so that you get a detailed picture of your client's truly unique experience. 

It's a simple approach to talking about complex topics. And you can learn it in less than 15 minutes.