Considering Culture One Client at a Time: Maximizing the Cultural Exchange

Authors

  • Brian C. Chu Graduate School of Applied & Professional Psychology, Rutgers University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14713/pcsp.v3i3.905

Keywords:

Asian-American, Chinese-American, cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT), cultural competence

Abstract

Cultural competency is a process that requires knowledge, diligence, and availability of resources. For the individual practitioner, it may be unfeasible to expect expert-level knowledge of any more than a few cultural groups. This commentary provides a general approach that clinicians can use to become oriented to a culture, make use of evidence-based frameworks, and treat the therapy as an ongoing cultural exchange. Using this approach a clinician may be able to flexibly adapt his or her individual case formulation approach to match the needs of a diverse set of clientele. Examples from the case of TC are used to illustrate the model and to highlight the cultural competence of the therapist.

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Published

2007-07-27

Issue

Section

Case Study