Cultural considerations in the treatment of children and adolescents - Operationalizing the importance of culture in treatment

This article provides an overview of cross-cultural approaches in child and adolescent psychiatric treatment. It covers issues of culture in relation to definition of self, conceptualizations of psychopathology, expectations and understanding of the role of therapist, styles and modalities of intera ction between the therapist and patient, individual therapy and involvement of family and community members in the process of treatment, and psychopha rmacology. Major points and recommendations for the therapist are outlined, along with a brief introduction to controversial issues involved in cross- cultural consultation.