From Cultural Competence to Cultural Humility: Indigenous Hawaiian Wisdom in Psychosexual Therapy

Cultural sensitivity, competency, and humility are crucial for ethical, comprehensive, and effective psychosexual therapy. This paper, viewed through a Hawaiian framework, aims to broaden psychosexual therapists’ understanding of relational, psychological, spiritual values, belief systems, and the interconnectedness of sexuality, identity, spirituality, land, tradition, and community (Pukui, Haertig, & Lee, 1972/1979; Rezentes, 1996).

Collaterally, this paper aims to extend the definition and practice of cultural sensitivity and cultural competency to include cultural humility. It emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and partnering with indigenous healers (Hook et al., 2013; Watkins et al., 2022). Included is the exploration of cultural humility’s impact on therapeutic outcomes and impact on the Indigenous community’s values and attitudes toward mental and sexual health (Oneha et al., 2023; Watkins et al., 2022). Also included are Native Hawaiian views on sexuality, identity, spirituality, ʻāina (land), and relational networks, and their influence on healthy sexuality and well-being (Pukui et al., 1972/1979; Rezentes, 1996). By increasing understanding of Hawaiian and Western philosophies and their parallel efficacy, therapists can foster enhanced therapeutic alliances, promote safety, and empower Hawaiian and Indigenous clients leading to the advancement of psychosexual therapy as a profession (Oneha et al., 2023; Shore, 2015).

Drawing on Mary Kawena Pukui and associates’ work at the Queen Liliuokalani Children’s Center, this paper demonstrates how psychosexual therapy can move beyond pathology to culturally sensitivity, competency, and humility (Pukui et al., 1972/1979). This includes the understanding of cultural humilities imperative of ongoing self-reflection about power, colonization and impact, and the dangers of misusing or appropriating Indigenous practices (Hook et al., 2013; Shore, 2015). Evidence supporting a change from cultural sensitivity and competency to include cultural humility in psychosexual therapy beyond common definitions of cultural competency will be explored. (Hook et al., 2013; Watkins et al., 2022).

Healing practices in Native Hawaiian and other Indigenous contexts often parallel Western modalities(Oneha et al., 2023; Walters et al., 2011). This paper addresses the need and benefit of psychosexual therapist ability to recognize Indigenous practices as real, valid forms of healing central to Native Hawaiian and other Indigenous clients (Hurdle, 2002; Oneha et al., 2023). It highlights the value of collaboration and working with cultural practitioners and healers as partners in care, sharing authority in ways that honor community knowledge (Hurdle, 2002; Shore, 2015; Walters et al., 2011). Several Hawaiian cultural practices will be explored.