APPLICABILITY OF COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOR THERAPY WITH AMERICAN INDIAN INDIVIDUALS

There is little empirical evidence to support the claim that cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) is an especially suitable treatment for culturally diverse clients. The purpose of this study was to compare the applicability of CBT in a community sample of European American and American Indian individuals. Participants completed the Cognitive Behavior Therapy Applicability Scale (CBT-AS), in which they rated their preference for characteristics consistent with three tenets of CBT. European Americans rated a stronger preference for CBT's focused in-session behavior and structured therapeutic relationship than did American Indians. Both groups rated the active stance domain of CBT as mutually acceptable. On the basis of the findings, several modifications to CBT for therapists working with American Indian clients are proposed for future investigation.