Culturally sensitive integration of supportive and cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of a bicultural dysthymic patient.

Abstract

A single case study is presented of the successful integration of culturally sensitive supportive and cognitive behavioral therapy to meet the needs of a bicultural man (Mexican/Palestinian) with dysthymia. The patient, a 3rd-year law student, was chronically making self-depreciating negative verbalizations that disrupted his daily functioning. The outcome revealed that the therapeutic alliance was improved by having a therapist of color who was sensitive to cultural issues and acculturation. Supportive therapy, coupled with cognitive behavioral interventions, succeeded in extinguishing the patient's negative verbalizations, and in normalizing his daily functioning. Treatment effects were maintained at follow-up.