Many cultural challenges and questions are raised for Western practitioners developing occupational therapy services within non-Western societies, particularly in specialties, regions or countries where occupational therapy has not previously been recognised. Setting up a new service anywhere can be a daunting task, but it is perhaps more so in the absence of precedent. In an effort to establish a sound, evidence-based approach to a new service development in mental health services in the United Arab Emirates, the literature was reviewed to identify occupational therapy research and perspectives related to culturally competent practice. Three key themes were identified and their relationship to psychosocial, and more general, occupational therapy practice is explored. Guidelines for culturally competent practice, arising from the literature, are also proposed.