Cognitive behavioral therapy is a popular evidence based therapy that helps to lead to a structured form of treatment of negative thoughts and behaviors. However, dealing with clients having different backgrounds there is a number of cultural barriers that could impede the process of CBT. Here are some common cultural barriers in CBT and ways to address them:
Emphasis on Individualism: CBT generally places a very strong emphasis on an individual’s responsibility and personal development. This fact tends not to resonate with people from collectivist cultures. They focus on community and family. It may be advisable to reframe goals in a way that highlights their position within their family or community when implementing CBT.
Language and Communication Styles: While highly linguistic by nature, the very exploration of thoughts and beliefs depends on language. Poor fluency in the therapist’s language at times may reduce complex feelings into simple expressions of ‘bad’ or ‘terrible’. There might be indirect methods of communication regarding some cultures, which could be misunderstood in the therapy setting. Using bilingual therapists or culturally specific metaphors can help. They can bridge this gap.
Stigma Around Mental Health: In many cultures, mental health-related issues are considered personal vulnerabilities or illnesses and are often highly stigmatized. This alone might avoid the seeking of CBT and explicitness in the process. This can put up resistance to CBT because clients may fear judgment or not be wanting to talk about their thoughts and feelings. In such cases, psychoeducation on mental health and what CBT is can be helpful in reducing stigma and encouraging participation in CBT.
Different Understandings of Psychological Concepts: Some concepts widely utilized in CBT do not have a cultural equivalent or are interpreted differently. For example, many cultures emphasize modesty and self-denial over self-esteem. Here again, cultural tenets clash with those of CBT, and the therapist may soften the language and presentation of principles so that they are less dissonant culturally.
Limited Relevance of Core CBT Assumptions: CBT is based on the idea that changing thoughts will change behavior and mood. For clients who believe that fate or spirituality shapes their lives, this premise may mean little. Culturally relevant beliefs may include religious or philosophical values. A therapist can integrate them into the CBT model to make it more relevant for some individuals.
What Are Some Sociocultural Approaches to Therapy?
Sociocultural methods to therapy believes that the cultural, social, and environmental factors play an enormous part in a person’s mental health. The focus of these methods is on more than just what you think and what you feel. They also look at how a person’s health is influenced by how people behave in a society or community, and their beliefs about what is right and wrong. The experiences and problems that are distinctive to people come from their background, beliefs and social networks. Some common sociocultural therapy methods are listed below. They are not all of them.
Culturally Responsive Therapy: This kind of therapy is one in which the therapist takes time to discover the culture of beliefs, values, and the general experience of the client. This lets the therapist create a safe, non-judgmental space for the client. They can express any thoughts about the world.It is especially for people from another culture. Their culture may have caused them to suffer. Or, a stressful event linked to it may have.
Community-Based Therapy: Both of these therapist types also look at the person and their role in the bigger community. Helping to treat social and economic issues tied to mental health. These include poverty, crime, and lack of healthcare. Community based therapies include things like group counselling and peer support. They also include local programs. They aim to build a support system for the client.
Family Systems Therapy: Family Systems Therapy focuses on how a family member might be hurting a person’s mental health. We know that families have different structures and jobs in different countries. They also have different ways to talk to each other. It also works well with people from collectivist backgrounds. Family support and standards often tie to personal life in those cases. When this method is used, the therapist works with the family to improve relationships by teaching better conflict resolution skills in a culturally sensitive setting.
Narrative Therapy: This is an understanding of how narrative therapy helps the client. It changes how they view their life stories. It does this by examining how national tales and social expectations have shaped their sense of self. Clients are told to view their lives from others’ perspectives. They should question many harmful ideas that society has instilled in them. This method empowers the client. It gives them control over their story. It can be freeing for those limited by cultural biases or stereotypes.
Mindfulness-Based Interventions: These therapies come from Buddhism. They have been adapted for Western use and are now used in most countries. This method uses focused attention on the present. It helps the client be more self-aware and less stressed. Mindfulness could help in therapy. It would give people a safe place to think about and deal with their feelings.
What Are Some Pros and Cons to a Therapy Culture?
The rise of a therapy culture reflects the growing consciousness of society about mental health and the value of psychological well-being. More people today seek professional help on everything from stress and anxiety to complex trauma. However, like any social phenomenon, there are pros and cons to therapy culture. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages:
Pros of Therapy Culture
Reduced Stigma Around Mental Health: The best thing about therapy culture is that it normalizes seeking help for mental health issues. As more people talk about therapy, it reduces the shame and stigma around poor mental health. Thus, people are more inclined to seek treatment rather than allowing problems to potentially go untreated.
Increased Awareness of Mental Health: It raises mental health awareness through therapy culture. It helps people spot signs of common issues, like anxiety and depression. With better knowledge concerning mental health, a person is able to make good choices by taking proactive steps in maintaining well-being and setting healthy boundaries, understanding the concept of self-care.
Expanded Access to Support: A culture of therapy means more access to support. This includes online therapy, support groups, and community resources. With such access, people in remote and poor areas can get mental health support. This will improve their living standards.
Cons of Therapy Culture
Overemphasis on Individual Solutions: One of the critical views concerning therapy culture is that, on one side, it sometimes emphasizes personal responsibility for mental health without addressing larger systemic issues like poverty, discrimination, or lack of access to healthcare. Therapy could only hope to help a person cope. It would not solve societal problems and might create feelings of helplessness in some.
Commodification of Mental Health: Clinical mental health is commodified through the commercialization of wellbeing products, apps, and self-help courses. Quick fixes are marketed as if they can be done easily, without care or professional guidance.
Dependency on Therapy: Therapy can change a life. But, it can cause dependency. One may find it hard to cope without a professional’s advice. In some instances, over-reliance may interfere with one’s self-reliance and trusting oneself to face difficulties.
Cultural Biases: At times, the culture of therapy itself does not resonate with persons from other cultural backgrounds in which community-based or family-oriented approaches are the foundation of wellness. Models of traditional Western therapies focused on individual growth conflict with the values of the collectivist societies and thereby invalidate the efficacy of the conventional therapy in diversified culture.
Conclusion
We need to understand sociocultural factors. We must also see how therapy culture affects mental health care.
From a cultural view, mental health professionals can:
- Break down barriers of misunderstanding.
- Create easier access to therapy.
- Guide clients on the complex path to mental wellness.
Cognitive behaviour therapy is one of the best treatments. But, it has not yet adapted to the cultural frameworks clients bring to therapy.