Cognitive-behavioral therapy with ethnic minority adolescents: Therapist perspectives Original Research Article

Examination of the mental health needs and services for ethnic minority adolescents has been woefully neglected. The present article summarizes the current literature on the mental health status of ethnic minority adolescents, discusses the applicability of cognitive-behavioral treatment interventions with ethnic minority adolescents, and presents data from a survey of cognitive-behavioral therapists who provided services to adolescents. Results from the survey indicated that although most therapists consider adolescent client ethnicity during the various phases of the therapy process, they typically do not directly address ethnicity or ethnic differences in therapy sessions unless it is clearly part of the presenting problem. Education on techniques for incorporating cultural factors into therapy is suggested for new therapists as well as for more seasoned clinicians. Specific recommendations are offered for conducting culturally sensitive cognitive-behavioral therapy with ethnic minority adolescents.