Treatment FAQ

how does cbt assist in culturally sensitive treatment

by Lucas Cremin Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Teach skills in a culturally sensitive manner and adapt CBT terminology using culturally relevant words and phrases For example, when reviewing cognitive errors, explain the concept (e.g., black and white thinking) and ask the client if there is a label/idiom of distress that is more relevant to them.

Key aspects of culturally responsive CBT include acceptance of core cultural beliefs, an emphasis on culturally related strengths and supports, and validation of the client's experiences of oppression with consideration of the need for environmental change.

Full Answer

What are the cultural implications of CBT?

Abstract. In increasingly multicultural societies, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) must be made appropriate for diverse groups. This article examines cultural adaptations of CBT, focusing on anxiety and depressive disorders. The article presents a culturally informed, transdiagnostic model of how anxious-depressive distress is generated and culturally shaped.

Is there a need for culturally responsive CBT?

Sep 02, 2019 · The authors concluded that CBT can be an acceptable and effective treatment for culturally diverse SAD sufferers with ‘modest’ modifications, and that applying them increases the treatment compliance and its outcomes, although they issue caution based on the quality of reporting and multiple methodological issues.

Can CBT be culturally appropriate for service users?

Cultural sensitivity practices can be applied to any type of therapy; these practices may help the client feel more comfortable, making the treatment …

What is culturally sensitive therapy?

culturally-relevant practices into their formulation and treatment approach. Key Points: • Culture directly influences many aspects of the CBT model. • Adapting evidence-based interventions like CBT to better consider culture may help to reduce mental health disparities among racial/ethnic minorities. • The goal is to understand the

Is CBT culturally sensitive?

There are several ways that we can enhance the cultural sensitivity of common components of CBT for anxiety. While some of these suggests are specific to CBT, others are related to the process elements relevant for a wide range of therapeutic approaches.

Is CBT adequate in working with clients from diverse backgrounds?

The authors concluded that CBT can be an acceptable and effective treatment for culturally diverse SAD sufferers with 'modest' modifications, and that applying them increases the treatment compliance and its outcomes, although they issue caution based on the quality of reporting and multiple methodological issues.

Can CBT be culturally adapted?

In a recent review of meta-analyses of culturally adapted interventions, we found that CBT was the most commonly used culturally adapted therapy (Rathod Reference Rathod, Gega and Degnan2018).Apr 10, 2019

Does CBT work across cultures?

This type of work is personal, and it cannot be accom- plished in one course or even in several cross-cultural encounters. Rather, it is an ongoing process that involves exploring the impact of cultural influences on one's beliefs (i.e., cognitions), behaviors, and identities.

What are some CBT strategies?

Some of the techniques that are most often used with CBT include the following 9 strategies:
  1. Cognitive restructuring or reframing. ...
  2. Guided discovery. ...
  3. Exposure therapy. ...
  4. Journaling and thought records. ...
  5. Activity scheduling and behavior activation. ...
  6. Behavioral experiments. ...
  7. Relaxation and stress reduction techniques. ...
  8. Role playing.
Dec 12, 2019

Can CBT help with decision making?

These cognitive strategies come from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a problem solving therapy that can help people with indecisiveness. It is not uncommon for people struggling with anxiety or depression to have problems with decision making.Jul 9, 2014

What is the most important aspect of culturally sensitive human services practice?

Displaying empathy and compassion by fostering mutual respect between the worker and the client is the foundation of any Human Services practice. As such, cultural competence is an integral component in this process.Aug 5, 2020

What are the barriers to CBT?

A systematic review of barriers to the delivery of CBTp (Ince et al., 2015) found there to be two main obstacles to access: (1) limited resources, and (2) ambivalent attitudes of staff and patients.May 15, 2018

What is CBT and how does it work?

CBT is based on the concept that your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and actions are interconnected, and that negative thoughts and feelings can trap you in a vicious cycle. CBT aims to help you deal with overwhelming problems in a more positive way by breaking them down into smaller parts.

Is CBT effective for Latinos?

Overall, CBT was supported to be an effective treatment for anxiety among Latinos for two reasons. First, all CBT intervention groups were successful in producing a reduction in anxiety symptoms.

How does CBT help with military culture?

They suggest that CBT compliments many aspects of military culture, for example agenda setting (emphasis on the daily structure), explicit goals for treatment (focus on mission completion) and focus on skill training (development of strengths). They also discuss the sub-cultures within the army, based on religion, race or gender, etc. The authors emphasize some of the salient features of military culture: the organizational structure of the military and its branches, a timeline of major wars and operations, the ranking hierarchy, and its language that should be considered in adapting therapy for this group. Finally, the authors list available resources in training in military culture for therapists.

How does globalization affect CBT?

Globalization also means rapid mobilization of people across national boundaries. We are becoming more mindful of the need to equal rights of all members of society, and to all societies and cultures and sub-cultures. Therefore, for CBT to stay in the system, it has to evolve, to adapt and even integrate other systems of therapies, in order to address the demands of people with a variety of needs. The original Beckian CBT model has been adapted over the years to help service users with anxiety, PTSD, OCD and psychosis. Third wave therapies are good examples of integration of CBT with another model of therapy. Adaptation of CBT for service users from a variety of cultures and sub-cultures can be seen as an extension of this process. This special issue publishes papers on both adaptation and integration of therapies to fulfil the needs of groups with complex needs and from different cultures and sub-cultures.

How does CBT help with family accommodation?

This case report describes the application of CBT in dealing with family accommodation (defined as ‘how relatives, in particular parents, may assist in compulsive rituals, provide reassurance or modify their routines to alleviate or avoid the distress experienced by the obsessive-compulsive child’). The authors describe the mother of a 14-year-old female patient who carried out almost all the compulsive behaviours and rituals for her child. Family-based cognitive behavioural therapy was offered over 4 months with a successful treatment outcome. Exposure and response prevention was used to help the client. The authors concluded that if applied thoughtfully, CBT can be used for patients in Saudi Arabia.

Why is Beckian CBT important?

Therefore, for CBT to stay in the system, it has to evolve, to adapt and even integrate other systems of therapies, in order to address the demands of people with a variety of needs. The original Beckian CBT model has been adapted over the years to help service users with anxiety, PTSD, OCD and psychosis.

What is the triple A principle in CBT?

They describe the ‘triple-A principle’ which describes foci of adaptation. These include ‘awareness’ of the service users’ culture, consideration of cultural issues during the ‘assessment and engagement phase’ and areas in therapy that need ‘adjustment’ for therapy to be effective.

What is a universalist approach to PTSD?

When working cross-culturally, many consider a ‘universalist’ approach to help focus on the similarities across cultures, rather than emphasizing differences (Beck,#N#Reference Beck#N#2016 ). This article describes a clinical protocol for supporting those presenting with PTSD and severe dissociative symptoms, particularly dissociative flashbacks, based on a cross-culturally applicable model. The protocol is discussed from the perspective of working with a refugee and asylum seeker population. However, it might be applicable across cultures. The protocol was developed in a specialist NHS (National Health Service, England) programme for migrants with PTSD. The dissociative responses are explained using the ‘6 Fs’ cascade. Currently, a quantitative evaluation is underway.

What is DBT adaptation?

(#N#Reference Skerven, Whicker and LeMaire#N#2019) report adaptation of DBT to address the needs of service users with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations who have experienced sexual stigma. For sexual minorities, minority stress has been implicated as an increased risk of emotional and mental health disorders. This paper describes combining DBT with a sexual stigma model (Herek et al .,#N#Reference Herek, Gillis and Cogan#N#2009) for LGBTQ+ service users receiving therapy for borderline personality disorders. Authors believe combining these two paradigms can help LGBTQ+ service users in effectively interacting with this population. The authors provide case examples. They suggest more empirical research in this field.

Why is cultural sensitivity important in therapy?

Therapists can incorporate cultural sensitivity into their work to accommodate and respect differences in opinions, values, and attitudes of various cultures and different types of people. Cultural sensitivity also allows a therapist to gain and maintain cultural competence, which is the ability to first recognize and understand one’s own culture ...

What to expect from a culturally sensitive therapist?

A culturally sensitive therapist follows guidelines for working with diverse groups of people and understands that racial, cultural, religious, gender, and sexual identities interact with one’s beliefs and behavior. The expectation and ultimate goals for both the therapist and the client are notable progress ...

How does cultural differences affect CBT?

This obviously could have important implications for CBT with its focus on addressing the client’s thoughts and thought processes. Cultural norms regarding what behavior is “appropriate” in different situations can have a major impact. Also, cultural norms (both the client’s and the therapist’s) impact interpersonal interactions and therefore impact the therapeutic relationship that is central to psychotherapy. Furthermore, when the therapist’s world-view, experience, and expectations are different from the client’s, this can complicate the process of developing a shared understanding of the client’s problems and possible solutions.

How do cultural norms affect psychotherapy?

Also, cultural norms (bo th the client’s and the therapist’s) impact interpersonal interactions and therefore impact the therapeutic relationship that is central to psychotherapy. Furthermore, when the therapist’s world-view, experience, and expectations are different from the client’s, this can complicate the process of developing ...

Why is correcting unrealistic thoughts important?

Although correcting unrealistic automatic thoughts is an important element in treating a patient, the totality of the meaning of the patient’s experience is crucial. At times, the meanings people give to a situation may not be fully formulated but rather will have to be drawn out by the therapist.”.

Why is cultural competency important in mental health?

Cultural competency practices have been widely adopted in the mental health field because of the disparities in the quality of services delivered to ethnic minority groups. In this review, we examine the meaning of cultural competency, positions that have been taken in favor of and against it, and the guidelines for its practice in the mental health field. Empirical research that tests the benefits of cultural competency is discussed.

What is cultural awareness?

Cultural awareness and beliefs: The provider is sensitive to her or his personal values and biases and how these may influence perceptions of the client, the client’s problem, and the counseling relationship.

How to evaluate cultural competency?

To evaluate the validity, utility, and empirical basis of cultural competency, one must first be able to define the construct. Competence is usually defined as an ability to perform a task or the quality of being adequately prepared or qualified. If therapists or counselors are generally competent to conduct psychotherapy, they should be able to demonstrate their skills with a range of culturally diverse clients. Proponents of cultural competency, however, believe that competency is largely a relative skill or quality, depending on one’s cultural expertise or orientation. Their definitions of cultural competency assume that expertise or effectiveness in treatment can differ according to the client’s ethnic or racial group. As Hall (2001)noted, advocates of cultural competency or sensitivity appreciate the importance of cultural mechanisms and argue that simply exporting a method from one cultural group to another is inadequate.

What is cultural knowledge?

Cultural knowledge: The counselor has knowledge of the client’s culture, worldview, and expectations for the counseling relationship.

Why did the investigators study the effects of quality improvements to care?

Because ethnic minority clients often receive poorer quality of services than do white clients (U.S. Surgeon General 2001), the investigators wanted to study the effects of quality improvements to care. The culturally adapted improvements included the availability of materials in English and Spanish.

Why do psychologists exercise reasonable judgment?

Psychologists exercise reasonable judgment and take precautions to ensure that their potential biases, the boundaries of their competence, and the limitations of their expertise do not lead to or condone unjust practices.

What is cultural competence?

The definitions of cultural competence have points of convergence and divergence (Whaley & Davis 2007). They all agree that knowledge, skills, and problem solving germane to the cultural background of the help seeker are fundamental. Nevertheless, the different definitions vary with respect to their emphasis on global characteristics, knowledge, skills, awareness, problem-solving abilities, aspirations, processes, etc. The definitions also vary as to how amenable they are to research testing. The kind-of-person model and the process model pose problems in terms of empirical testing. In both models, characteristics of culturally competent therapists or interacting processes are difficult to specify and operationalize for research. On the other hand, the skills or cultural adaptation model can be more readily tested. In this model, researchers introduce the skill or cultural adaptation of treatment and compare the effects with other treatment or no-treatment control groups.

Why is it important to have positive experiences in a therapist?

Positive experiences are likely to instil confidence in therapists to work with service users from different ethnicities and cultures. They are also likely to instil confidence in service users in mental health services, and could help to break down the stigma associated with seeking support for mental health problems.

Why do therapists feed back?

Therapists often feed back that it is the wealth of stories and experience shared in a non-judgemental way at the workshops which helps them to pick up new skills and gain confidence.

What is the term for a group's thoughts, experiences, and patterns of behaviour?

Jandt (. Reference Jandt. 2017) writes that traditionally culture was referred to as a ‘group’s thoughts, experiences, and patterns of behaviour and its concepts, values and assumptions about life that guide behaviour and how those evolve with contact with other cultures’ (Jandt, Reference Jandt. 2017 ).

Is CS-CBT the same as CBT?

CS-CBT is more similar to the CBT provided to the majority of white service users, but is adapted on a case-by-case basis by therapists and service users, and includes discussion of issues of ethnicity and culture. However, CA-CBT is adapted for specific ethnic groups and for a specific disorder (Beck, Reference Beck.

Is ethnicity a social construct?

Ethnicity can therefore be seen as a much broader social construct than race. For example, people who have migrated to the UK from other countries may still relate their ethnic identity to their country of origin, whereas their offspring, whilst sharing similar physical characteristics, may identify themselves as having a different ethnicity.

Is CBT culturally specific?

The active components of CBT are retained, but the language, examples and metaphors are culturally specific. The therapy incorporates cultural values and practices, and there is additional emphasis on context for the service user, such as their economic situation, experiences of discrimination and migration history.

How can multicultural principles be used in CBT?

The use of multicultural principles to enhance cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for individuals of marginalized backgrounds has received increased attention in light of the heightened national awareness of systemic oppression and racialized violence directed towards Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. However, there has been less of a focus on applying such principles to consultation for skill development. If ethical guidelines are expected to influence the behavior of clinicians in session, guidance is needed to indicate how and where and when clinicians should receive training in implementing culturally responsive CBT. Individual reading and reflection are necessary but are not sufficient in acquiring new clinical skills. Consultation is recommended and strongly suggested when clinicians are working with new populations or delivering a new treatment, or even using a new modality. Consultation can also be useful when adopting a new approach or stance to therapy. For practicing clinicians who have not developed these skills, additional consultation can and should be used to address this gap. Moving forward, integration of cultural responsiveness into standard consultation will ensure that these skills are seen as a core competency, rather than an optional additional skill that may be (or not be) elected. This paper presents core experiences that may be integral to a CBT consultation model that aims to enhance providers’ ability to provide CBT in a way that is culturally responsive to their clients. These recommendations attend to both content and process within CBT consultation and reflect guiding assumptions for helping clinicians to develop the ability to practice CBT in a culturally responsive manner, including (a) normalizing discussions of cultural identity and oppression, (b) an emphasis on cultural self-awareness, (c) emphasizing culturally informed CBT case conceptualization, and (d) skill development in applying cultural elements to CBT interventions.

What is multicultural therapy?

The use of multicultural principles to enhance cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for individuals of historically marginalized backgrounds has received increased attention in light of the heightened national awareness of systemic oppression and racialized violence directed towards Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

How does fear based disorder affect family?

Fear-based disorders (FBDs) occur in an interpersonal context as relatives (e.g., partners, parents) often accommodate symptoms. Symptom accommodation, which is ubiquitous and reinforces FBD behavior, is associated with increased FBD symptom severity and interferes with treatment. Accordingly, reducing accommodation represents a crucial aim for intervention. We describe a brief, manualized group intervention to decrease symptom accommodation and caregiver burden among cohabitating relatives of individuals with FBDs. The intervention is the first to date that (a) jointly includes parents and partners to target symptom accommodation, and (b) uses a transdiagnostic group treatment approach. We also provide preliminary empirical support for this group-based intervention among adult relatives (N = 20) that participated in the five weekly intervention sessions and completed assessments at baseline, posttreatment, and 1-month follow-up (1MFU). Preliminary results suggest that the group intervention is feasible and acceptable. Completers (n = 18) exhibited significant reductions in symptom accommodation and self-reported burden between baseline and 1MFU. The discussion identifies study limitations and future directions.

Is gender based violence pervasive?

Gender-based violence (GBV) is pervasive among Indian women. Although posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological outcome of GBV, it might not accurately capture the experiences of Indian women from slums, who face continued stressors (i.e., ongoing adversity). Continuous traumatic stress (CTS) is a framework used to characterize experiences of ongoing adversity. This mixed-method study investigated the applicability of the CTS framework for characterizing ongoing adversity and the psychological impacts of ongoing adversity among GBV-exposed Indian women from slums. Indian women from slums (N = 100) completed all study measures; a subset (n = 47) completed qualitative interviews analyzed using deductive coding and thematic analysis to identify core CTS characteristics. To examine the impact of ongoing adversity on participants’ psychological symptom severity in the full sample, we performed an ANCOVA on PTSD symptom severity and an ANOVA on anxiety and depression symptom severity. Interviewed participants described the context of stressor conditions as pervasive, reported stressor conditions existed in the present or future rather than the past, had difficulty discriminating between real versus imagined threat, and demonstrated absent external protective systems. Results indicated that ongoing adversity was associated with significantly more severe PTSD, F (1, 96) = 9.86, p < .001; anxiety, F (1, 98) = 20.31, p < .001; and depression, F (1, 98) = 25.24, p < .001. The CTS framework is valuable for characterizing ongoing adversity and its related mental health impacts among GBV-exposed Indian women from slums. Assessment and intervention in slum communities must account for ongoing adversity.

Is spirituality important in China?

Spirituality is an important factor in the lives of many people in China . Yet, little information exits on how to address Chinese clients’ spiritual beliefs appropriately. This paper addresses this gap in the literature by articulating a roadmap for working with client spirituality in an ethical and professional manner. Rationales for administering a spiritual assessment are provided along with a brief overview of the process and options for conducting such assessments. The paper concludes by reviewing two prominent spiritual interventions that may resonate with many Chinese clients, both in China and other parts of the world.

Is there a lack of studies on cognitive behavior therapy in Brazil?

In Brazil, a country with particular cultural characteristics, there is still a lack of studies on the cultural adaptation of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). The current research aimed to initiate the identification of relevant aspects of Brazilian culture in the application of CBT.

Is cognitive behavioral therapy appropriate for multicultural societies?

In increasingly multicultural societies, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) must be made appropriate for diverse groups . This article examines cultural adaptations of CBT, focusing on anxiety and depressive disorders. The article presents a culturally informed, transdiagnostic model of how anxious-depressive distress is generated and culturally shaped. Guided by this model, it discusses how interventions can be designed to decrease anxiety-type and depressive-type psychopathology in a culturally sensitive way. It describes such concepts as explanatory model bridging, cultural grounding, and contextual sensitivity.

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