Cultural Considerations in Counselling for South Asians

Abstract

South Asians (SA) comprise the largest visible minority group in Canada, yet they experience disproportionally higher rates of mood disorders compared to other groups (Naeem et al., 2023; 2024). Similar trends have been observed in the United States, which led  to the development of the South Asian American Counseling and Psychology framework (SAACP). This framework examines individuals who identify as South Asian American, while considering the sociocultural, emotional, behavioural, and environmental factors that influence their mental health and wellbeing (Thakore-Dunlap et al., 2023). In recognition of these influences, the role of social determinants, and the significant mental health challenges faced by SAs, the Mental Health Commission of Canada developed Culturally Adapted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CaCBT) for South Asians (Naeem et al., 2023; CAMH, 2024). This approach adapts Western CBT to provide culturally sensitive care tailored to the needs of South Asians, with the goal of improving mental health outcomes. The purpose of this poster is to examine the SAACP framework and CaCBT for SAs, compare their core principles and underlying themes, and explore the application of CaCBT for SAs in North America.