Dimensions of Culturally Sensitive CBT: Application to Southeast Asian Populations

This article outlines key dimensions of culturally sensitive cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and examines the application to Southeast Asian populations. Our treatment, culturally adapted (CA) multiplex CBT, was initially developed to treat traumatized Southeast Asian refugees, and has been shown to be efficacious for those and other groups. As described in the article, CA multiplex CBT is based on the multiplex model of distress generation and our conceptualization of key dimensions of culturally sensitive and effective treatment. We will describe why our CA-CBT may have applicability to Asian populations more generally, for example, due to its emphasis on mindfulness, contextual sensitivity (viz., flexibility), somatic complaint, and somatic-focused emotion regulation (e.g., applied stretching). We illustrate key dimensions of CA treatment, giving examples from how these principles are employed in CA multiplex CBT. Public Policy Relevance Statement Developing culturally sensitive cognitive-behavioral therapy is of key importance to improve care. This article suggests how to do so, focusing on Asian populations, particularly Southeast Asian refugees. Dimensions of culturally sensitive CBT are outlined.