Techniques of Culturally Appropriate Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CACBT)
- Ting Jiang
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a well-known practice in Western culture, but it can be applied to diverse cultures after many years of practice. Like Hinton (2011), by using key techniques, CACBT uses a unique approach that can be adapted in different ways for marginalized populations. Significantly, Hwang et al. (2015) assert that Asian Americans are twice as effective using CACBT as CBT because cultural adaptation is efficient. Comparatively, Naz et al. (2019) explain that CACBT is adjusted for specific minority groups and specific disorders. However, Rathord et al. (2019) argue that CACBT should be aware of “theoretical and philosophical considerations as well as practical issues in improving access to therapy and in adjusting therapy techniques for the need of individuals and local population” (p.12). Then, we need to be aware of how we adapt the techniques of CACBT within different cultures and how CACBT works effectively with diverse populations. We can explore some of the techniques of CACBT and see what we can apply to Culturally Appropriate Narrative Therapy (CANT).
Additionally, one of the studies recommends that techniques of CACBT can be culturally adapted, such as emotion regulation and emotion exposure techniques (Hinton et al., 2011). It is helpful to adapt emotion regulation and emotion exposure techniques into CANT because at “exposure therapy not only allows clients to practice does not mention any techniques that help individuals overcome their uncomfortable situations.
Emotional regulation techniques
Emotion regulation techniques can be diversified based on individual needs. Potentially, Hinton et al. (2011) discuss that we need “cultural bridging,” based on each different cultural tradition, the techniques can be adapted into different formats with positive self-statements (p.276). There are different steps involved in emotion regulation techniques that contain different relaxation skills and muscle stretching, for example: “acceptance; loving-kindness meditation; multi-sensorial; living-in-the present; mindfulness meditation; applied muscle relaxation with a visualization encoding psychological and emotional flexibility” (Hinton et al., 2011, p. 276). They also explain that emotion regulation techniques are utilized in groups, such as reading a bible, decentring, and stretching with imagery from their own culture. Similarly, Hinton et al. (2012) argue that emotion regulation techniques can be used in the healing process during the treatment. Essentially, Jalal et al. (2017) discuss that CACBT applies multiple techniques, like meditation, to reduce fear; and any techniques that can reduce fear and anxiety can be applied to that. Then, Rathod et al. (2019) argue that experienced therapists need to be aware of the importance of other mindfulness techniques. With cultural awareness, therapists can adapt their emotion regulation techniques to maximize benefits for diverse populations and help them to maintain good emotional regulation during the exposure process.
Emotion Exposure
Emotion exposure can be a challenge for individuals as it leads them to confront their fears and anxiety. Similarly, emotion exposure can be visualized for the groups, such as individuals who are exposed to their fear network, followed by the emotional regulations and relaxation techniques (Hinton et al., 2011). Further, Hinton et al. (2011) define exposure as a way of self-learning and unpacking positive images through “culturally appropriate visualization”; this brings out ideas of cultural diversities (p. 276). They also argue that therapists can be embedded within different cultures to change the images according to different cultural groups; we can expose our fear networks after practicing a set of emotion regulation techniques. Further, Ashworth et al. (2011) discuss that the advantage of exposure techniques is to examine dysfunctional beliefs and explore different “ways of understanding the self and others” (p. 457). It is critical to practice emotional responses through repeated exposure, which is an important aspect of this therapeutic approach.
In addition, Ashworth et al. (2011) state that “exposure therapy not only allows clients to practice previously avoided behavioral skills (i.e., talking with strangers and developing friendships, reading aloud in a classroom, asking someone for a date) but also helps them begin to work toward long-term goals” (p. 457). This technique can be different for someone who tries to avoid these situations; however, it is beneficial for them to be exposed to uncomfortable situations. Significantly, Jalal et al. (2017) mention that emotion exposure is not only a technique to overcome individual fears and anxiety, but it also requires individuals to work for lifelong learning, such as emphasizing the ideas of a long-term process to achieve long-term goals – self-actualization. Emotion exposure is a new way to know more about ourselves and get along with our uncomfortable emotions. Both emotion regulation and exposure techniques allow us to apply imagery to individual cultures. Further, individuals feel at ease and comfortable if they are in their cultural environments. This helps them to feel their emotions and bodies. This is also useful for CANT to work effectively with diverse populations. CACBT provides basic skills and knowledge for individuals to overcome their triggers and struggles.
References:
Ashworth, K. J., Randall, J., Millen, A., & Rosqvist, J. (2011). Culturally competent CBT: Treating
SAD in a Korean immigrant—a single case analysis. Clinical Case Studies, 10(6), 449–465.
Hinton, D. E., Hofmann, S. G., Rivera, E., Otto, M. W., & Pollack, M. H. (2011). Culturally adapted CBT
(CA-CBT) for Latino women with treatment-resistant PTSD: A pilot study comparing CA-
CBT to applied muscle relaxation. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 49(4), 275–280.
Rathod, S., Phiri, P., & Naeem, F. (2019). An evidence-based framework to culturally adapt
cognitive behaviour therapy. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 12.
Jalal, B., Samir, S. W., & Hinton, D. E. (2017). Adaptation of CBT for traumatized Egyptians:
Examples from culturally adapted CBT (CA-CBT). Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 24(1),
Naz, S., Gregory, R., & Bahu, M. (2019). Addressing issues of race, ethnicity and culture in CBT to
support therapists and service managers to deliver culturally competent therapy and
reduce inequalities in mental health provision for BAME service users. The Cognitive
Behaviour Therapist, 12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1754470X19000060
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