Culture-Centered Psychotherapy Preferences for Polynesian Americans: An Interpretative Phenomenological Approach

The purpose of this study was to understand Polynesian American (PA) values, preferences, and beliefs about psychotherapy in light of their culture. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was conducted to collect and analyze culturally relevant preferences and expectations of psychotherapy with Polynesian Americans. The study consisted of 13 in-depth interviews with individuals of Pacific Islander descent who are currently living in the United States. The results of the analysis showed three culturally informed themes shared by study participants that informed this sample’s expectations and preferences of psychotherapy: ʻOhana (family), Lōkahi (harmony) and Aloha (warmth, compassion, love). These values provide unique insights to therapy adaptations that should be emphasized when working with Polynesian American clients, such as using a family centered approach to therapy that takes into account the collective needs of a client’s entire family, participating in therapist self-disclosure and the sharing of personal backgrounds, looking at clients challenges through a holistic lens, and demonstrating genuine warmth in the client-counsellor relationship. We discuss clinical implications and recommendations for Polynesian Americans in future research.