How do Chinese Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy trainees view their own therapy competence and the cultural compatibility of this therapy for Chinese clients with depression in Hong Kong?

Abstract

Background: There is growing need and demand for the application of and training for cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) in different cultures. While there are increasing evidences to suggest that CBT is applicable to people of different culture backgrounds, such as the Chinese in Hong Kong, there is a lack of a documentation concerning the training of CBT practitioners of different cultural backgrounds. Aim: This article aimed to document the subjective experience of 20 trainees who undertook our one-and-a-half-year cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) training programme. Method: In-depth interviews were carried out with all of the trainees, and these interviews were transcribed and coded. Results: Content analysis of the transcripts suggests that the trainees had gained an understanding of the CBT framework and felt competent in facilitating clients’ acquisition of adaptive cognitive and behavioural responses. They were less confident in facilitating the modification of rigid dysfunctional rules and values. Many of the trainees mentioned the culturally attuned CBT exercises and worksheets as being useful in helping clients to acquire cognitive and behavioural strategies to handle their distress and depressive moods. With regard to the modes of training, the trainees were particularly appreciative of the live demonstration and coaching. Lastly, these trainees considered CBT to be culturally compatible with Chinese values and with Chinese people’s preference for certain styles of therapy practice. Conclusions: The findings are useful as a reference for developing CBT training for practitioners of Chinese-speaking backgrounds.

摘要 認知行為療法的華人受訓者如何看待自身的治療能力感和使用該療法治療香港抑鬱症患者時的文化兼容性

研究背景： 認知行為治療（CBT）發展至今，眾多的證據顯示認知行為治療適用於不同文化背景的群體，例如將治療方法應用於香港華人。與此相關的認知行為治療培訓的需要亦與日俱增。然而，目前缺乏一些有關此類訓練的相關資料。 研究目的： 分析20名接受為期一年半的認知行為治療（CBT）課程訓練的學員(專業人仕)的主觀經驗。 研究方法： 所有學員皆接受深入訪談，並將訪談內容轉錄和編碼。 研究結果： 訪談內容的分析顯示，學員掌握到認知行為治療的理論架構，並有信心協助個案掌握正面的認知及行為適應策略；但部份學員郤希望有更多的時間用於演練一些重塑不良思想規條及價值觀的技巧。另外，許多學員均表示認知行為治療練習和工作紙能有效地讓個案掌握一些認知及行為的策略，舒緩個案內心的苦惱及抑鬱情緒。就訓練模式而論，學員十分欣賞現場示範和指導的部份。最後，學員們認同認知行為治療能融合於中國文化價值觀，且是華人合宜的一種治療模式。 總結： 研究結果為培訓華語背景的認知行為治療工作員提供一份重要的參考文件。