‘Working therapeutically with the Greek-speaking world of Enfield over twenty-five years’

Purpose This paper aims to reflect on the culturally appropriate psychotherapeutic interventions applied to the Greek-speaking minorities of Enfield within a third sector organisation. Design/methodology/approach The integrative model of work applied psychoanalytic, systemic and relational theory to individuals, couples and families of first, second and third generation migrants. Findings Identified access barriers to mental health services for ethnic minorities; challenges of clinical engagement; and the need for culturally competent practice that addresses difference, worldviews, power issues, prejudices, discrimination, subjugation and deprivation are the predominant themes in the paper, which also includes three clinical examples. Research limitations/implications The paper addresses the clinical work applied only to the culturally specific populations within the locality of Enfield. Social implications The emphasis on culturally competent psychotherapeutic interventions and on multidisciplinary collaboration highlights effectiveness and quality of health care in the context of clinical engagement and of tackling inequalities along with the stigma attached to mental health within the cultural groups. Originality/value The work reflects on the clinical work over 25 years with the specific cultural communities in their cross-generational adjustments.