"Multicultural concerns cover a broad range of topics and identities including race, religion, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, and/or disability. Culture, or customs, beliefs, and products of various institutions or people at any particular time, can greatly influence how people interact and how we see one another–both positively and negatively. People from different cultural groups may be negatively stereotyped or heavily discriminated against because of their differences from a main culture. Historically, multicultural concerns have affected people of Native American, African-American, Italian, Irish, Jewish, and other cultural groups. Other racial and religious minority groups continue to be ostracized or persecuted in various parts of the world. School, work, and social situations can bring together people of various cultures, which may or may not result in friction between individuals. Regardless of one’s background or heritage, healthy social environments can depend on tolerance, compassion, and a willingness to learn about others’ differences. Ever-changing societies rely on refraining from negative stereotyping and discrimination.Culture plays an extremely relevant role in psychotherapy. The likelihood of a person seeking help, available treatments used by mental health professionals, and the outcome of treatment are greatly affected by cultural considerations. Depression or other mental health conditions that one culture may view as a reason for therapy may be seen as a matter to be handled by family or religion in another culture. A recent immigrant to the United States might be experiencing depression, but could also be facing the very different cultural landscape of her new home. A therapist with an understanding of multicultural issues can detect whether the problem is one of depression or adjustment. They can also make suggestions about how to acclimate to a new culture and anticipate potential problems. For example, a person who lived in an extremely small tribal society where she knew everyone she saw every day might struggle with the crowds and anonymity that are so often a part of life in the U.S. In a psychotherapeutic relationship, the culture of both therapist and person in therapy play a role in that dynamic. It is important for the therapist or mental health professional to be aware of any possible cultural differences of the person in therapy, even when multicultural issues are not a direct focus of the therapy sessions. Most therapists receive training or education on cultural competency and multicultural counseling, and therapists who wish to learn more can pursue continuing education. "