Beyond the Manual: Adapting CBT for the Complexities of Acculturative Stress

Standard CBT often misses the mark for people navigating cultural adjustment and migration. Here's how therapists can adapt their approach to address acculturative stress more effectively.

In an increasingly interconnected world, migration has become a common human experience. While cultural exchange can enrich both individuals and societies, adjusting to a new environment often brings significant psychological challenges. This process can lead to acculturative stress.

Despite its prevalence, mental health services often lack a culturally sensitive understanding of this phenomenon and the specific support it requires. CBT – though originally developed within Western frameworks – holds considerable potential for supporting individuals experiencing acculturative stress.

Making this work, though, means developing approaches that put cultural understanding first and recognise how psychologically demanding it can be to adapt across cultures.

What is Acculturative Stress and How Can Therapists Work With It?