Cognitive-behavioral therapy with ethnic minority adolescents: Therapist perspectives

Examination of the mental health needs and services for ethnic minority ado lescents has been woefully neglected. The present article summarizes the cu rrent literature on the menial health status of ethnic minority adolescents , discusses the applicability of cognitive behavioral treatment interventio ns with ethnic minority adolescents, and presents data from a survey of cog nitive-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 ty pically do not directly address ethnicity or ethnic differences in therapy sessions unless it is clearly part of the presenting problem. Education on techniques Ibr incorporating cultural factors into therapy is suggested for new therapists as well as for more seasoned clinicians. Specific recommend ations are offered for conducting culturally sensitive cognitive-behavioral therapy with ethnic minority adolescents.