Cultural Adaptation of BTfor Serious Mental Illness: A Guide for Training and Practice - Softcover

“This book pulls together all the current data on the effectiveness of culturally sensitive CBT in this area, as well as providing clinicians with a manual to learn and practice culturally informed CBT. I can confidently recommend it as helpful for anyone working with severely mentally ill clients.”

Aaron T. Beck, MD, University Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania

“In a globalized world we need methods to adapt interventions so they are equally effective for different groups. Many have undertaken cultural adaptations but to have some of the major voices in CBT produce guidance on cultural adaptation produces a priceless treasure.”

Kwame McKenzie, MD, FRCPsych (UK), Medical Director CAMH, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Toronto

“This volume offers a practical guide to culturally adapting CBT for severe mental health conditions. The authors are gifted clinicians and investigators that present a sophisticated overview of key conceptual and pragmatic issues in working with diverse communities.”

Guillermo Bernal, PhD, Director, Institute for Psychological Research, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico

“There was a time when psychological therapies were not thought to be appropriate for all patients. Clinicians did not have the tools to adapt their skills. No more!”

Kamaldeep Bhui, Professor of Cultural Psychiatry & Epidemiology, Queen Mary University of London

Although proven as one of the most effective evidence-based therapies, a key criticism of the theoretical framework of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is that it is Eurocentric and therefore an ineffective tool for treating people from diverse cultural backgrounds. As a result, people from ethnic minority groups are often reluctant to work with therapists, who in turn do not feel confident in their ability to work effectively with them.

This book is designed to enable CBT clinicians to engage people from diverse cultural backgrounds by adapting their therapeutic techniques, resulting in increased therapist confidence and much improved patient outcomes. It explores the cultural norms and expectations of groups including African Caribbean, African American, Chinese, Latino, Indian, and South Asian Muslim, considering attitudes to mental illness, the role of family and wider community, and cultural barriers to engaging with therapy. Featuring an array of clinical case studies along with coverage of the most up-to-date data from CBT research in ethnic minority groups, this is an essential new resource for anyone studying or practicing CBT.